3rd November 2011: The Right Honourable Chris Grayling MP - Minister for Employment visits BEST

We were delighted to welcome the Employment Minister, Chris Grayling to our Bradford offices on Thursday 27th October. During the visit, the Minister viewed a range of services available to customers as part of the Governments new flagship Work Programme. He talked to a number of individuals about the personalised support they have received from BEST since we started delivering the Work Programme in June this year.

Former security guard David Hirst has been out of work for two years. The 40-year-old, who lives in Manchester Road, said:

“It is very encouraging. I am not very computer literate, but you only have to ask and the staff will help you. I have much more opportunity on this course. It inspires you to go out and find a job and provides the support needed to secure and retain work.”

Speaking about the Work Programme visit, Chris Grayling said:

“I am really impressed with these innovative back-to-work sessions and the positive attitude of jobseekers I met today. It shows that the new Work Programme is starting to have a positive impact on the employment prospects of thousands across the region. The new Work Programme is revolutionary in the way it tailors support to jobseekers’ needs and pays organisations primarily for getting people into sustained employment. People on out-of-work benefits who have previously been shunted from dole queue to training room to dole queue again will now finally be able to access tailored support.”

Speaking on behalf of BEST, Managing Director, Michelle Manson added:

“We are delighted to be delivering this exciting new programme and to be supporting the Government’s central welfare reform agenda. We particularly welcome the increased flexibilities the Work Programme brings and are excited to be working with colleagues from the FE, Voluntary, Work Based Learning and Public Sector to align our provision to existing local services, offering our customers access to greater employment opportunities than ever before.”

“Building on the innovative structure the Work Programme provides, we are working with employers in new and exciting ways allowing us to tailor the personal support we provide to the needs of local business. Strategically, our partnerships with key regional stakeholders such as the Leeds City Region LEP and Local Authorities are ensuring that the Work Programme contributes to real economic growth across West Yorkshire.”

To view a short video from the day please visit: Chris Grayling Praises Bradford Company.