Businesses and Council leaders have united to help more people find jobs in South Tyneside.
South Tyneside Council is working with companies that have initiated successful working practices to help people formerly excluded from employment opportunities to find, and flourish, in jobs.
The Council hosted “Building a Stronger South Tyneside” on Wednesday (11 March) at Jarrow Focus, bringing together businesses, partners and community organisations, united in the aim of creating fairer access to employment.
Tackling social exclusion and economic inactivity is a pressing challenge across the North East, but Council leaders in South Tyneside want to create smooth pathways to work for residents and, hopefully, unlock the potential of the borough’s workforce.
Cllr Tracey Dixon, leader of South Tyneside Council, said:
“The organisations we invited to this important event are all going that extra mile to create inclusive, progressive workplaces that help people who, for a variety of reasons, have found it difficult to enter the jobs market. We need to recognise their effort and create a platform where they can talk about their journeys and share best practice.
“Economic inactivity and social exclusion are among the biggest challenges facing South Tyneside. Many residents face multiple and complex barriers to employment and no single organisation can address this alone. That is why our partnership with local businesses is vital.”
The event follows the Council’s Economic Summit, which examined complex barriers preventing many residents from accessing work. Barriers include long-term health conditions, disability, caring responsibilities and skills gaps.
Through closer collaboration with local employers, the Council aims to develop practical solutions that open doors to secure jobs, increase incomes and strengthen economic growth.
The Building a Stronger South Tyneside event also recognised businesses going the extra mile by offering apprenticeships, creating supported roles, providing flexible working options and embedding inclusive recruitment practices.
Cllr Dixon added:
“Every apprenticeship offered, every work placement created, every inclusive recruitment decision made has a real and measurable impact on someone’s life.
“Our employers are not just creating jobs, they are crafting opportunity, restoring confidence and strengthening communities. This event showcases their progress and provides the inspiration for a blueprint to create a happier, more prosperous South Tyneside for all.”
Event speakers included Leanne Hume from Ford Aerospace, on the success of its Apprenticeship Academy; Megan Holland from HTG outlining efforts to create local jobs and how apprenticeships are integral to its growth; and Paula Oliver, a South Tyneside Council “Job Coach” about how removing barriers to employment help people progress and why it’s also good for business.
Attendees included a wide range of local businesses including Port of Tyne, KP Simpson, Little Haven Hotel, JML and HVR.
These employers and others across the borough are committed to delivering social value. Apprenticeships provide pathways to work; supported employment roles increase workforce participation for those with disabilities or health conditions; and flexible practices help carers and older workers remain economically active.
At the event, best practice was shared alongside discussion about the support firms need to grow and create employment opportunities. South Tyneside Council aims to use learnings to build a plan to support residents excluded from the labour market and help businesses meet workforce needs.
Megan Holland, marketing executive at HTG, said:
“As a business, we are absolutely committed to creating quality jobs in our communities. Apprenticeships are an amazing opportunity at any stage of employment, whether it’s opening doors for young people starting their careers, supporting individuals looking to change direction, or helping existing staff develop new skills and progress within their roles. The diversity and flexibility of apprenticeships make them invaluable to businesses, enabling organisations to grow their talent, strengthen their workforce and invest in the future.
“Working with the Council, sharing best practice and listening to each another, businesses can play a role in creating a resilient local economy in which everyone has the chance to succeed and, hopefully unlock potential we have in South Tyneside.”
The Council hopes the event will also strengthen collaboration between employers and public services, ensuring that support mechanisms, from skills training to tailored employment assistance, align with the needs of both residents and businesses.
For information about the full range of support available to employers in South Tyneside see: Building a Stronger South Tyneside – Invest South Tyneside
