A new scheme to support thousands of people to find work across the South West after the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic gets under way this month.

Employment and health specialist Seetec Pluss was awarded the Government contract to deliver the Restart Scheme, which will support more than 100,000 people across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire over the next four years.

Chris Harrison, executive director of employability and health at Seetec, said: “The last year has had an unprecedented impact on the jobs market, leaving many people who have lost their jobs or been unable to take their first steps into work feeling vulnerable and anxious about the future.

“The Restart Scheme will play a fundamental part in the nation’s recovery, helping local people, their families and communities rebuild the security that makes such a difference.”

The Restart Scheme, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, will support people who have been out of work and claiming Universal Credit for at least 12 months to build their confidence and skills and find work. It is part of the Government’s wider Plan for Jobs to help social and economic recovery after the pandemic, with the Restart Scheme expected to support more than a million people across the country on their return to employment.

The scheme will provide up to 12 months help for each participant, with dedicated employment advisors working closely alongside them to get to know their aspirations and strengths.

Seetec’s advisors will help each individual to develop a personalised package of support, breaking down the barriers to employment from providing access to training and qualifications to helping with CVs, interview skills and job searching. Once the individual secures a job, their advisor will also provide in-work support to help them adapt and thrive.

Support will include regular one-to-one coaching, pro-active job search and immediate digital support for anyone who needs to build their digital skills to engage with online job searching.

Seetec Pluss’ employer services team will also build on their relationships with over 11,000 employer partners across key sectors, to help secure employment opportunities for participants.

Mr Harrison from Seetec, added, “The Restart Scheme is all about collaborating with our expert local supply chain partners, key stakeholders and employers to ensure as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, no-one is left behind. We will draw on our combined regional experience, and passion to offer high quality services and help more people overcome barriers, including support with debt, digital connectivity to help progression into meaningful and sustainable employment.”

The Restart Scheme will help young people and education leavers looking to launch their careers, as well as those seeking to reskill or change career and those trying to return to sectors that have been impacted by Covid-19.

As well as delivering the Restart Scheme to 106,000 individuals in South-West England, Seetec Pluss will also be a sub-contractor supporting a further 65,000 people on the Restart Scheme in London, the Home Counties, Central England and the North-West.

To find out more about the support available, call 0800 334 5525, email: customer.admin@seetecpluss.co.uk or see www.seetecpluss.co.uk