Keeping Greater Manchester’s health and care sector working

New initiative launched by the Growth Company to tackle labour market challenges as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19)

Businesses in the health and care sector struggling to fill vacancies to meet the challenges of COVID-19 can receive help from a new initiative from The Growth Company in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and delivery Partners.

Employ GM is a service, across the city-region, for all businesses*, the self-employed and individuals to help match job opportunities, especially temporary, as new and replacement needs arise as COVID-19 impacts on business delivery.    

It connects employers who have urgent temporary (and permanent) vacancies with individuals across Greater Manchester who are available to start work straight away.  

It will provide practical support with the recruitment process including the promotion of jobs to a large network of available candidates, quick and efficient recruitment, and running a weekly payroll for businesses not used to utilising a temporary workforce.  

COVID-19 has presented huge challenges for the care sector with the health and safety needs of staff and vulnerable people at the forefront. Maintaining high levels of care with staffing numbers reduced due to sickness or self-isolation or due to different working patterns, so recruiting the right staff to plug gaps is proving to be essential.

Employ GM will also support individuals who have been made redundant due to Covid-19, as well as self-employed people who have seen a significant drop in work, by helping them look for new job opportunities as well as providing them with careers advice and training.

Employ GM will also support furloughed employees and those unsure about their next steps with careers information and advice to help them make decisions on work, learning, and training.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “We’re in no doubt about the challenges that many businesses throughout our city-region are facing, which is why we’ve been working hard from the outset with The Growth Company and other partners to put in place all the support we can.

“All of the actions that we take now are going to determine how we move forward after this, which is why we’re helping businesses, sole traders and self-employed business owners to plan ahead and even second workers to where they’re needed most. Greater Manchester always comes together in challenging times, and this has been no exception.”

Mark Hughes, Chief Executive of The Growth Company, said: “Along with our Partners, The Growth Company is here for business and individuals who need support during these uncertain times. I am confident that the launch of Employ GM will help us to quickly bridge skills gaps across the city-region, as well as take some of the pressure off organisations by helping them to adapt and be resilient to change.”

For more information and to get help from Employ GM visit www.employgm.org/

For business support, call: 0161 237 4127.

To list a job vacancy , call: 0161 237 4120 or visit https://employgm.org/list-your-job/

If you’re looking for work, call: 0161 237 4121 or visit https://aspirerecruitment.org.uk/job-details/

Businesses looking for support can also visit the Coronavirus microsite at www.businessgrowthhub.com/Coronavirus or get in touch for more advice and support by emailing BGH@growthco.uk or call us on 0161 237 4127. Opening hours have been extended to Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am – 1pm to support businesses.