Connect to Work for Employers
Get in touch
Get in touch to find out more about our business support offering.
Get in touch
Get in touch to find out more about our business support offering.
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Who’s it for?
Employers across Greater Essex who want to strengthen their workforce through inclusive recruitment and supported onboarding. It suits businesses looking for reliable candidates who may face barriers to employment and who would benefit from structured guidance that helps improve workplace diversity, stability and long‑term staff retention.
What is it?
Connect to Work is a fully funded service, supported by the Department for Work and Pensions, that provides employers with personalised recruitment and workplace support. This includes help shaping roles around business needs, matching employers with suitable candidates, supporting induction, and offering ongoing coaching and integration support so employees can thrive and remain in work.
What’s required?
Employers simply need to express their interest and outline any vacancies or potential opportunities within their business. There is no cost to take part, and no obligation beyond being open to inclusive recruitment and working collaboratively with the employment specialists who support both the employer and the new employee throughout the process.
How does it work?
Once an employer shares their workforce needs, our delivery partners match them with individuals who are ready and motivated to work. Employment specialists provide support at every stage, from shaping or carving job roles to suit both the candidate and the business, through to onboarding, induction and workplace adjustments. After the employee begins work, the programme continues to offer ongoing coaching and support to ensure successful integration and long‑term retention.
Next steps...
To start your journey, get in touch to learn more or visit the Essex Opportunities website.
Stories of progress
Don't just take our word for it, hear from the local individuals who are scaling faster and thinking bigger.
“The Innovation Grant Mentoring Programme didn’t just help us write a stronger grant application, it changed how we tell KIGO’s story. That is the kind of support every early-stage founder needs and almost none can find.”
Innovation Grant Mentoring
“The support was incredibly helpful. I was able to step back, really look at where the business was going, and understand the financial side more clearly. It also made me realise the true value of what I was delivering - something I hadn’t fully recognised before.”
Ambitious Essex
“The Essex Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service has been invaluable in helping us enable apprenticeship employers to secure funding quickly and easily, ensuring smaller employers and apprentices have the same opportunities as other learners.”
Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service
“The team have been very supportive throughout the process and guided us through each step. Every question was answered in detail, and we would highly recommend the service to other businesses.”
Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service
“It’s a valuable way to invest in our team and support business growth. The process was straightforward, and the support helped us up skill our team without the usual financial pressures. We’d highly recommend it to others looking to develop their workforce.”
Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service
“Pitching to companies was the best, from a commercial and learning perspective. Secondly the other cohort members, I feel I've met like minded people going through or have been through similar challenges.”
Grow Essex Global
“My experience with the Essex Growth Agency through Ambitious Women in Essex has been transformational for my business. May it continue as an incubator of talent, driving growth and prosperity across the county.”
Ambitious Women in Essex
"From start to finish, the process was seamless. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, guiding me through every step. I felt valued as a customer, and the results were fantastic. Thank you for a wonderful experience!"
Ambitious Women in Essex