Report from the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) Conference

Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) Conference - London, 4th December 2024

The annual ERSA conference brought together policymakers, practitioners, and thought leaders to discuss the future of employment support in the UK, focusing on innovative strategies to address challenges in the labour market and promote inclusive growth.

For Alison McGovern, the Minister for Employment, this was her third time attending an ERSA conference. In her remarks, McGovern recognised the vital contributions of the employment support sector. She emphasised the foundational role of the economy with the phrase, “it’s the economy, stupid.” She discussed the structural challenge of increasing economic inactivity due to chronic ill health, describing it as a significant barrier to growth. Reflecting on 14 years of Conservative governance, she remarked that it had left “scar tissue,” resulting in fewer people transitioning from benefits to work and many being trapped in low-paid jobs.

McGovern stressed the importance of tailored, place-based support, promising to improve the prospects of the “pandemic generation.” She called for collaboration among employment support providers, small businesses, and job centres to help individuals “get in and get on” at work. During the Q&A session, she confirmed that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was open to dialogue but noted that funding decisions were under Rachel Reeves’ control. She emphasised that moving people—particularly mothers—into better-paid jobs would be crucial in tackling child poverty and highlighted the strong demand for talent, stating that “employers are crying out for staff.”

Chris Luck, Group Chief Executive of the Shaw Trust and sponsor of the event, echoed the sector's commitment to ensuring “good work is available to all, regardless of circumstances.” Drawing on findings from the Work Well Programme, he underscored how quality employment transforms lives. Luck also advocated for moving away from transactional relationships with employers and instead placing social value creation at the core of employment support services.

Panels and Discussions: Insights and Challenges

The morning panel, "Locally-Led Employment Support" offered valuable insights into improving local employment strategies. Matt O’Neill, representing Barnsley Council, highlighted findings from the Pathways to Work Commission, such as the importance of creating meaningful work placements, reforming benefit system incentives, and utilising tools like the Good Employment Charter. Nic Witton-Dowd of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority emphasised that individual employment barriers often stem from systemic issues, criticising the complexity of the commissioning process, which she described as “bananas.” She advocated for joined-up, personalised, and locally driven approaches to employment support. A particularly innovative experiment involved universities offering free dental appointments, which provided students with practical experience while benefiting local communities—a win-win solution.

The second panel, "The Importance of Place: Joining Up Employment Support, Skills, and Health Interventions" focused on integrated approaches to address economic inactivity. Professor Steve Fothergill from the Industrial Communities Alliance critiqued the Get Britain Working White Paper for lacking the ambition needed to tackle inactivity, particularly in areas where it acts as a form of hidden unemployment. He argued for reducing reliance on immigrant labour, claiming it allowed employers to “abdicate responsibility” in addressing local recruitment challenges. Meanwhile, Christopher Rocks from the Health Foundation stressed the importance of providing occupational health services to SMEs, which often lack the resources to support employees effectively. He said that simple interventions, such as adapting work plans for those with health conditions, were highly impactful.

Breakout Sessions and Afternoon Highlights

A breakout session with representatives from the DWP and the Cabinet Office was particularly insightful. Officials were in “listening mode,” offering technical advice to commissioners and suppliers while outlining opportunities to shape the DWP’s replacement framework.

Afternoon panels continued to inspire with discussions on holistic, personalised, joined-up localised approaches to employment support. Tom Pollard of the New Economics Foundation emphasised the importance of voluntary engagement in employment programmes. This sentiment was echoed by Liz Sewell of Belina Grow. A spirited debate arose around strategies to improve job quality, reflecting the passion and dedication of attendees.

Throughout the day, networking opportunities abounded, with attendees exchanging ideas, tips, and best practices in a lively and collaborative atmosphere.

Conclusion: A Window of Opportunity

Elizabeth Taylor concluded the event with a cautiously optimistic message. While initially disappointed with the White Paper’s limited focus on the employment support sector, she expressed hope that there was still an opportunity to showcase the sector’s achievements and shape future policy. She urged attendees to seize this moment.

The ERSA conference was a powerful reminder of the sector’s vital role in addressing labour market challenges. With its focus on collaboration and innovation, the event left attendees motivated to drive change and create a more equitable employment landscape.