A national association for employment support and training has launched a digital platform to connect jobseekers with local support.
The Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) has won the support of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for the unveiling of its ASK SETH (skills, employment, training and help) platform, developed by start-up Frog Systems.
It said it is it is the only free, single source, digital platform for jobseekers which does not require sign up or membership.
Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP said: "Making it easier for jobseekers to find local employment support is vital as we support people to find work in our re-opened jobs market. This website, with help and advice, will do just this and help people move into roles.
"This dovetails with our own Plan for Jobs and is exactly the sort of support our Work Coaches are providing across our network of Jobcentres – levelling up opportunity across the country as we support workers of all ages to retrain, build new skills, and get back into work."
Elizabeth Taylor (pictured), CEO of ERSA said: "The unique selling point of ASK SETH is that it is the UK's only ‘go to' destination to access all you'd need to know for finding employment. Its functions are simple to manage for those less used to accessing this kind of information, and the videos enable jobseekers to gather the information and advice they need to make a successful step into employment.
“It is especially targeted to those who have little or no experience of unemployment with easy links and clear guidance on what many employability organisations offer. We are immensely proud of the format and see it as a game changer for unemployed people in these challenging times."
ERSA – which claims local authorities, housing associations, social enterprises and charities among its members – said that no personal information is collected from jobseekers’ searches on the platform. However, the anonymised real time data generated will be used by ERSA for insights into emerging employment and training trends, and provide an additional source of data for the DWP, the Department for Education and the Ministry of Justice.
The features of ASK SETH include bite sized video clips with advice from employment, skills and training experts, and a directory of organisations and agencies that offer hyper-local advice and support.
Image from ERSA
