Community Based Resourcing – An innovative approach to employer partnerships within the Work Programme

What is Community Based Resourcing?  A true partnership established between The Co- operative, A4e and Avanta  Primarily created as a an alternative recruitment channel  Supports long-term unemployed job seekers to start a career with The Co-operative  Directly complements The Co-operative’s values and ethics

What does it deliver? Putting the right people at the heart of your business Community Based Resourcing Engagement with local communities Reduced time & cost on recruiting activities Prepared & productive new employees Loyal & local employees Local Account Management team from provider Allows focus on Core Business growth

Humble beginnings  ‘Market testing’ of Work Programme by The Co- operative HR team back in September 2011  Worked independently with various providers  Trial & error across the diverse Co-operative sectors  A4e & Avanta appointed as partners in early 2012 and the creation of ‘Community Based Resourcing’

The challenges  Could providers work alongside each other to the benefit of a significant national employer?  Could The Co-operative trust the Work Programme to deliver?  Could a consistent service be delivered which all parties were comfortable with?  Could The Co-operative convince internal stakeholders of the value of engaging with Work Programme? Putting the right people at the heart of your business

The planning  Dedicated project team identified from all parties  Creation of an open, honest and transparent working relationship  Engagement & Communication strategy created cross all three organisations  Reciprocal induction sessions to each others business  Identifying the right path for a ‘Community Based Resource’ solution

The pilot  3 month period (Oct 2012 – Dec 2012)  Partners responsible for delivering recruitment to 200 Co-operative Food stores identified in North West  Activation of communication strategy  Local provider advisers meeting local store managers  Commencement of Co-operative Academies to provide formal training and qualifications to prospective employees

The results  105 long term unemployed individuals started career with The Co-operative  Delivered recruitment cost savings estimated by The Co- operative of £105K “Mark Crumlin, the store manager of Myrtle Street, our new store in Liverpool City Centre, has recruited 9 colleagues who are fantastic additions to the team with exemplary customer service and appear to be a joy to work with. This is brilliant news and a very worthwhile project.” Sean Toal, Chief Operating Officer, Co- operative Food

105 success stories, here’s one..... Rebecca Duke, an ESA claimant, illustrates the life changing opportunities The Co-operative have provided. Rebecca had been out of work for 3 years since losing her job as a result of problems related to her epilepsy and had lost self- confidence. The prospect of working at the Co-operative seemed appealing and after successfully navigating the selection process Rebecca started work in October Rebecca said “I had lost confidence and couldn’t see when I would get a job again. The Co-operative have been so understanding and I can now focus on building a better future for me and my partner”. Rebecca is still a Co- operative employee today.

The future of Community Based Resourcing.....  No longer a pilot and now accepted as a credible resourcing channel with The Co-operative  UK phased roll-out to circa 3,000 food stores  Expected to provide opportunities to thousands of long term job seekers each year  Fundamental to have multi provider network as we mobilise into new geographies

The future of Community Based Resourcing.....

What we have learned.....  Provider collaboration is critical to meet the needs of large employers  Providers need to invest resources to truly embed themselves into an employer to achieve long term results  Preparing our customer groups for entering the world of work with specific training, is probably the most valuable piece of activity we can offer to our customers and employers alike

Key messages to employers.....  Invest the resources to engage with providers on a more strategic basis as opposed to transactional activities  Allowing providers closer to your business will encourage providers to invest more resources to deliver better results for your business

Any Questions?