Shared Services Connected Ltd (SSCL) has been engaged by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to recruit 9,000 new Jobcentre Work Coaches as part of its ambitious plan to get the UK back to work.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic Mims Davies, Minister for Employment at DWP, announced on 10 September a range of measures to boost employment. As a result SSCL has been tasked with sourcing 9,000 new Jobcentre Work Coaches by March 2021.

The first recruitment wave will see more than 3,000 staff in place by Christmas with starters taking up posts in Jobcentres next month. These roles will directly support employment programmes such as the £2 billion Kickstart Scheme.

SSCL, a leader in critical business support services for the largest Government departments, the Ministry of Defence and Police, is expert in high-volume, rapid pace recruitment. It will run the end-to-end process from advertising for candidates to onboarding new recruits.

As unemployment is expected to rise over the coming months, the new Jobcentre Work Coaches will play a vital role helping people find new jobs and developing new skills in the current labour market.

In just one week SSCL has received over 15,000 applications and is now testing, shortlisting and vetting candidates. Within 2 weeks of go live, we have already progressed candidates through the recruitment process and into pre-employment checking.

David Parsons, Managing Director at SSCL Police and Resourcing Services said: “This is clearly a significant undertaking for the UK Government, and we are delighted to put our expertise in recruitment on this scale to good use.

“We have already hit the ground running and in spite of the challenging conditions caused by the ongoing pandemic, we are confident of finding the best Work Coaches all over the country.

“This is a project of vital national importance, and we look forward to playing our part supporting the UK back into work.”