The Awards, announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday 21 July, were hosted by ITV news presenter Lucrezia Millarini and attended by new Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health, Penny Mordaunt MP.
The Employability Awards, now in their fourth year, showcase and champion best practice from across the employment support sector, celebrating the hard work and achievements of those involved in supporting people into work. This includes advisers working one to one with the jobseekers who may have lost their self believe, to organisations pioneering innovative methods of supporting young people to find their career path, through to the employers who go that extra mile by adapting their practices and workplaces.
The Disability and Health Employment, sponsored by RBLI, recognises an employment services provider who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in supporting jobseekers with limiting disabilities and health conditions to achieve sustained employment.
The Advisor of the Year, sponsored by Alderwood, recognises an employment advisor who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in a frontline role.
Director of External Affairs, David Martin said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted in not just one but two categories at the ERSA Employability Awards. I am very proud of Laura and the rest of the team at Papworth Trust who do a great job delivering high quality services that help to improve the lives of the thousands of disabled people that we work with on a daily basis. Although we didn’t win, we are greatly encouraged by being shortlisted as it reminds us how important and valued the work is that we deliver“
This year the Awards were judged by Nick Butler, Policy Lead for the Work and Health Programme at the Department for Work and Pensions; Andy Cook, Programmes Director at the Centre for Social Justice; and Christine Chang, Senior Director, Investments at Big Society Capital.
Kirsty McHugh, Chief Executive, ERSA, said: “Across the country there are people and organisations doing exceptional work day in and day out, to support people into work. The awards recognise this and enable us to say thank you! Thank you to all those involved in an individual’s journey into employment, from an advisor coaching someone towards work, to an employer taking on a candidate, to the jobseeker themselves, working so hard to overcome any barriers and move into work.”
Image: Laura Venning, Finalist for Advisor of the Year Award
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