Socitm and LGA launch Return to Work programme

29 Sep 2020 04:05 PM

A new collaborative initiative to support ICT workers back into employment is launched today (29 September 2020).

line drawings of ICT teams and technologies

The Return to Work – ICT (RtW – ICT) programme is a partnership between the Society for innovation, technology and modernisation (Socitm) and the Local Government Association (LGA), to help ICT workers find employment following a career break.

The programme will support participants in every aspect of their return back into employment within a local authority, including the opportunity to personally develop, building their professional network right through to interview preparation.

Nadira Hussain, Director of leadership development and research at Socitm, said:

“We are delighted to work in partnership with the LGA’s RtW – ICT programme and be leading the training of returning professionals. There are so many reasons people take career breaks, some of whom might have been out of the workplace for some time due to caring responsibilities.

“It is crucial therefore that we support these individuals to rediscover and enhance their skills and nurture them to become the future talent pipeline for local government. This is the opportunity to close that gap.”

The development of people through RtW – ICT will also include giving them an understanding of how ICT operates in a local authority setting, vital to the success of the initiative.

Nadira added:

“We only have to look at what has happened since March through the impact of the pandemic to see how much the environment has changed, so anyone thinking of returning to work from time away may feel even less confident to do so.

“Through close working and on-going collaboration with the LGA, we will address this challenge and take candidates through structured training and development that will set them up for a successful return to work.”

Another key success measurement of the programme is reducing the cost of recruitment to organisations who have signed up to recruiting the right people at the right time.

Cllr Peter Fleming, Chairman of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, said:

“Our expertly created programmes will support people to gain the skills, confidence and knowledge they need to work in ICT, planning or legal professions, and to shape the areas where they live.

“As councils look to lead communities through the coronavirus pandemic, there has never been a better time to work in these professions. These campaigns offer the opportunity to match councils with candidates ready to return, for the benefit of local residents and businesses.”

Anyone interested in the programme can apply via the LGA’s website: www.local.gov.uk/return-to-work-ict

Councils that would like further details on the programme can find them on the LGA’s website: www.local.gov.uk/return-work-ict/information-councils