Norwich MP awards Serco ‘gold’ for employment support

Serco’s facilities management team at Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) Trust has been awarded a Gold certificate by local Norwich North MP, Chloe Smith for its exemplary support for the ‘Norwich for Jobs’ programme.

Norwich for Jobs is a voluntary project that aims to reduce the number of young people registered as unemployed within the Norwich area by assisting them to find appropriate work through CV and interview advice, tours of workplaces, work tasters, work experience and apprenticeships.

Serco, alongside its NHS colleagues at NNUH, has supported the programme since its inception three years ago and works closely with local community partners - such as The Prince’s Trust, Project Search and Jobcentre Plus - to offer diverse work entry opportunities.

So far this year, the company has provided a CV and interview skills advice session, two ‘About Us’ presentations, a work taster session and offered work experience. These activities have so far resulted in three young people securing jobs at the hospital this year.

Chloe Smith MP, who has led and championed the programme since the beginning, recently visited the hospital to meet the Serco team and speak to a number of people who have benefitted from the initiative, ranging in service from a few weeks to years. 

She commented: "The Norwich for Jobs project is very grateful for Serco's longstanding support and commitment to Norwich young people who most need a chance."

Chris Paul, Serco’s CSR Manager at NNUH added: “We are very proud to support Norwich for Jobs and our local community. Long-term unemployment has a huge social impact and proven hidden healthcare costs. As a responsible public services provider working alongside the NHS, as well as a large local employer, we want to do all we can to support those who might not always be given a chance to turn their lives arounds. It’s an honour to receive this Gold certificate and we very much hope to recruit many more ‘hidden gems’ as a result of this valuable programme.”

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