Supporting employability across Northumberland

Northumberland County Council’s Employability and Inclusion Team has continued to develop in the last few months to help it better shape and support the services and programmes across the county that help residents to get into and stay in good quality work. 

Vicki Clarke has led on the development of the Northumberland Employment Partnership, including the Northumberland Employability Network over the last two years, coordinating services provided by businesses, skills and training providers, and voluntary and community sector organisations that are active in helping residents on their journey to employment, and has now stepped up into a newly created role to lead and coordinate the team’s work going forward. 

Alongside her, Iryna Zhomer coordinates the variety of opportunities in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), as well as support for Ukrainian residents. Adam Gray is the lead on the Northumberland Inclusive Economy Community Partnership, which was established through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the North East Combined Authority as the Lead Authority, and funds the voluntary and community sector to develop its capacity to support residents in participating meaningfully in their communities. 

Alex Kempster has recently joined the team to lead on engagement with employers around job and skills development opportunities. 

The team now sits as part of the wider Business Northumberland function which supports companies of varying scales based within the county with guidance and practical support around access to funding and investment, premises, and introduction to an extensive network of partners who can support their growth and investment plans.