A national movement to provide jobs and opportunity
The Jobs Foundation was founded on the belief that business is a force for good in society, especially the jobs that they create. The Jobs Foundation Pledge puts that belief into practice. It is a national movement of employers of every size and sector, working together to tackle the UK's worklessness crisis and help people facing barriers to work find a good job and build a career.
Get in touch“A good job is the number one thing that we can give people to help them live a prosperous and happy life. The expertise to give more people that opportunity already exists within British business, but right now it isn't being shared, and it isn't being scaled. We can't wait to change that through the Jobs Foundation Pledge.”
Georgiana Bristol, CEO, Jobs Foundation
The Jobs Foundation’s work began by travelling the country to meet businesses already doing remarkable work to recruit and support people from hard to reach groups. Two Million Jobs showed how businesses create jobs and training opportunities, and Ladders of Opportunity looked at how employers bring people into work from groups who too often get left behind.
This left us with a clear picture of a country facing a worklessness crisis, and of a business community that already holds much of the answer, even if that best practice is fragmented and often not shared.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has set out the Government's ambition to transform Britain from a "welfare state to a working state". The Jobs Foundation Pledge is putting businesses at the heart of achieving that mission.
To answer that question, we formed the Jobs Foundation Employer Taskforce. Nearly 30 employers spent a year working through the challenge together, sharing what works and shaping what a practical framework for business should look like. The Pledge is the result: a public commitment to supporting hard to reach groups into work, backed by a framework built directly from the Taskforce's experience, which gives businesses the tools to act and recognises those already leading the way.
“Businesses across the country have the knowledge and insight on how to successfully support people into work. If we are to do this at scale across the country, it's vital that businesses can learn from their peers about what works. We're delighted to be working with the Jobs Foundation on leading this mission.”
Hayley Tatum MBE, Chief People Officer, Marks & Spencer
“Pret are thrilled to join The Jobs Foundation Pledge. As a business with over 30 years’ experience of supporting those at risk of homelessness into employment, we’ve seen first hand the impact of tackling worklessness. We can’t wait to educate, support and champion other employers wanting to join too.”
Ed Evans, Chief People Officer, Pret a Manger
“At M&S, we know how important that first step on the career ladder is for young people to build the confidence, skills and experience they need to have a successful career. By signing the Jobs Foundation Pledge, we're reinforcing our commitment to helping more young people get into work, develop lifelong skills and take that all important first step in their career. ”
Hayley Tatum MBE, Chief People Officer at Marks and Spencer
At the heart of the Pledge is the ORSA Framework, covering the end-to-end journey of a person's employment.
Outreach means looking for talent beyond the usual channels and building genuine partnerships with schools, colleges, charities and local organisations that connect a business to people it might otherwise miss.
Recruitment is making every stage from advert to offer accessible, so that candidates are judged on their genuine ability to do the job.
Skills is about giving people tailored, sustained support once they join, so they can perform at their best.
Advancement focuses on helping people progress through career pathways and external networks, so that a first job becomes the start of a career.
“The Jobs Foundation Pledge is being designed with the UK's pioneering employers — both large and small — to provide a national beacon for companies who want to get workless people into meaningful work. As a result, companies will be able to fill their skills shortage, the economy will grow and more people will lead healthier, fulfilling lives.”
Octavius Black CBE, Chair, Employer Taskforce
Pledge employers make a public commitment to supporting people into meaningful work through the ORSA Framework, and in doing so join a growing community of businesses with the same goal.
Signatories become part of the Pledge Community, where employers share challenges and solutions with one another.
They contribute to Pledge Insights, drawn from the ORSA Questionnaire, which is building an evidence base on what works in tackling worklessness.
They have access to the Pledge Resources Hub, with practical tools and business cases to help them take their own next steps.
They can be recognised at the annual Pledge Awards, which celebrate employers whose work is changing lives.
Contact usTo find out more:
Use Contact us, or email Georgiana Bristol, CEO
georgiana@thejobsfoundation.com
Government cannot solve worklessness alone. When employers across the UK act together, they can open up good jobs to people who have too often been shut out of them and give more people the dignity and purpose that work brings. If your business shares that ambition, we would love to hear from you.
“Business: A force for good”