Another Successful Year for the Growth Company's Employment Services in Greater Manchester

• The Growth Company’s employment services in Greater Manchester went from strength to strength in 2024, supporting over 12,000 individuals and engaging with nearly 800 employers through innovative programmess and partnerships.
• These efforts were recognised with multiple awards, including accolades for United For Ukraine and the Employment Legal Advice Service (ELAS).
• ELAS expanded its network and significantly increased pro-bono legal support, assisting 321 people with employment-related legal issues, while Employ Manchester navigators helped residents access diverse employment, skills, and health support.

The Growth Company’s employment services in Greater Manchester thrived in 2024, providing comprehensive support to individuals and employers, delivering innovative new programmes, and forging successful partnerships.

Our employment team supported 12,091 people with a wide range of needs, including job searches and their health and wellbeing. 2,664 of these people started new jobs due to our support. We also engaged with 783 employers on everything from recruitment to business development.

Our positive work was recognised in several ways. Back in February, for instance, then-Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall reflected on “an inspiring day in Greater Manchester learning about [the] Working Well programme.”

Meanwhile, United For Ukraine key worker Okszana Nepijvoda pick up the Learning Impact of the Year accolade at the October IEP Learning Awards. November saw the Employment Legal Advice Service celebrate four years of success with a commendation at the Greater Manchester Pro Bono Awards, and in December, our colleague Tanina Sheath won the Frontline Manager category at the ERSA Awards.

Sticking with ELAS, the service welcomed three new solicitor partners in 2024, growing its network from six to nine. As a result, the number of pro-bono appointments offered more than doubled, rising from 20 to 44 hours per month. Over the past 12 months, ELAS supported 321 people with employment-related legal issues – from employment tribunals to discrimination and pay issues.

Elsewhere, our pioneering Employ Manchester work and wellbeing navigators built on the work of our other programmes by helping countless Manchester residents to access the diverse employment, skills, and health support available across the city.

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a 30-year history of enabling growth, creating jobs, and improving lives. We help people and businesses to develop, grow, and succeed through a range of employment, skills, and business support services. We provide employment, justice, and health services across the North of England and beyond.

Contact us today to find out more.