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The Connect to Work programme has launched in Hertfordshire in August 2025 and is designed to support residents with disabilities, health conditions, or complex barriers into meaningful employment.

Coordinated and delivered locally by Step2Skills, this UK Government-funded programme is part of a nationwide effort to reduce economic inactivity and promote inclusive workplaces.

Hertfordshire is one of the first regions to benefit from the government’s £100 million funding boost to the Connect to Work programme. This investment is part of a broader national strategy to help over 300,000 people across England and Wales transition into secure, well-paid jobs. Read more: £100 million cash boost to help thousands into work across the country - GOV.UK

Connect to Work is a personalised Supported Employment programme that pairs eligible individuals with dedicated Employment Advisors. These advisors work one-on-one with participants to build tailored employment plans, focusing on “place and train” strategies rather than traditional job searching. The programme is open to Hertfordshire residents aged 18 and over who are either unemployed or are at substantial risk of losing their job due to their disability, health or personal challenges.

Step2Skills is currently working in partnership with three partners, HACRO, SPS Training Solutions Ltd and Sunnyside Rural Trust to help deliver the programme to local Hertfordshire residents, aged 18 and over. 

 

 

Step2Skills can help you find work if you are:

  • A Hertfordshire resident;
  • Who is aged 18 or over;
  • With a disability, a health condition or complex barriers to getting work
  • Or, in work but struggling to retain or move on in your job

It is vital that you want to find work. Our Employment Advisors can support you with everything else on your unique journey into work.

We understand that no two journeys are the same.

Your journey with Step2Skills can last around 12 months if you join us as an unemployed person and around 4 months if you are already in work.

Barriers to work may include;

  • Disability or long-term health condition
  • Mental health condition
  • Neurodivergence
  • Caring for someone or used to care for someone (ex-carer)
  • Experiencing homelessness
  • A veteran or partner of current/former personnel
  • Living with drug or alcohol challenges
  • Being in foster care or care leaver
  • Criminal convictions
  • Ukrainian Scheme, Refugees, and Resettled Afghans
  • Surviving domestic abuse
  • A young person at risk of serious crime
  • Victim of modern slavery

14.3%
of the Hertfordshire population report a disability or life-long illness that limits their daily activities.


 

 

Gemma

Gemma, 39, a stay-at-home mum who has recently been diagnosed with autism

Gemma was last employed aged 25. She was unable to settle in any particular role or industry but after a lifetime of confusion, a discussion with her child’s teacher led her to discover she is autistic and receive a formal diagnosis. With no clear skill set, no English or maths qualifications and anxiety about returning to work, she approaches us for help.
Satinder

Satinder, 47,an unpaid carer whose parents have both recently died

Satinder has cared for her elderly parents since leaving school at 16. Since their deaths two years ago, Satinder has not been able to find work as her confidence is low and she is unsure where best to start on seeking a career. She knows that she wants to work, for both the social connections it will create and the financial security it brings.

Having never worked, her CV lacks experience and skills and her applications to jobs have so far not been progressed.

Michael

Michael, 32, who has mental health conditions including extreme anxiety 

Michael is 32 and living with mental health conditions which include extreme anxiety.

When his anxiety symptoms surface, he finds himself unable to leave the house easily, worrying about the journey to work and leaving the house. Although he enjoys working and the relief from his symptoms of anxiety that it can give, his absence from work during periods of extreme anxiety led to his last employers not renewing his contract.

He hopes that Step2Skills may be able to help him find a supportive employer, who will give him the flexibility and understanding that has so far been lacking in his previous jobs.

Rachel

Rachel, 45, a survivor of domestic abuse

Rachel, 45, is a survivor of domestic abuse and as a close family member lives in Hertfordshire, she has been re-located to the county, along with her 2 children. She is looking for help to re-enter paid work, having previously experienced coercive and financial abuse from her ex-partner, which left her with no bank account and no income. With PTSD and other associated mental health conditions, Rachel wonders if this programme might be able to help. 

Josh

Josh, 27, with an unspent conviction

Josh, 27 has an unspent conviction which still has 3 years left remaining. During his time in prison, Josh gained English and maths qualifications, which he hadn’t ever achieved while at school. Having left prison with a different outlook on life, he is keen to begin paid work but so far, job applications have been rejected. Josh is finding the lack of structure in life hard to cope with and depression is setting in.

Mohammad

Mohammad, 51, a former Sound Engineer with hearing loss

Mohammad, 51, has worked in the Music Industry during his working life but has developed Tinnitus and then acute hearing loss within the last 5 years. This has made his job as a Sound Engineer untenable, and he has recently been made redundant. His passion has always lain in music, and he is struggling to see a career beyond this industry. 

 

 

After we check that you are eligible for help under the UK Government-funded programme, Connect to Work, Step2Skills will assign you an Employment Advisor.

Following a recognised Supported Employment framework, our experienced Employment Advisor will work with you on a one to one basis. Together, you’ll build a plan that works towards you finding a job that matches your skills, experience, and interests, supporting you every step of the way. Our aim is to rapidly “place and train” you into a role rather than use traditional job searching methods.

Your Journey:

  • Getting to know you 

    We’ll meet with you and talk about your strengths, experience, and what you would like to achieve. We’ll also discuss things you may need additional help with and start to talk about what kind of jobs you would like to do.

  • Guidance and support 

    Depending on what you need, we will start to work on things like building your CV, job interview practice and building your confidence through short work tasters.

  • Job searching 

    With a better understanding of your skills and career goals, we can now support you in applying for suitable roles with our network of employers that will be able to provide you with any additional support you may need.

  • Continued support 

    Now you’ve found a job, we will work with you and your new employer to make sure you settle in well and are receiving the training and support you need to succeed.

Your journey with Step2Skills can last around 12 months if you join us as an unemployed person and around 4 months if you are in work.

This video illustrates how participants on our Employment Support programmes move into work.

Through partners

We are currently working with three trusted partner organisations to deliver the Connect to Work programme.

These partner organisations are:

HACRO based in St Albans.

SPS Training based in Stevenage.

Sunnyside Rural Trust based over in Hemel Hempstead.

 

 

Leaning on our employer network

We work with an extensive network of local employers to deliver our employment support services.

We're constantly growing our network of inclusive employers who support our participants with mock interview practice, insight days, work tasters and paid work opportunities.

If you're a local employer who would like to connect with our team, visit https://www.hertfordshirefutures.co.uk/step2skills/employment-support/register/ to register and a membder of the team will be in touch.

 

With our team of Employment Advisors

Our Employment Advisors are the people who will help support you on your unique journey into work.

From linking you up to essential training, to helping you get your CV work-ready, your assigned Employment Advisor will be there for you throughout your journey with us.

If you want to join our team of Employment Advisors but lack experience, the Skills Bootcamp we offer may be the perfect stepping stone into this rewarding career.

 

When you press the apply button, you will be taken through to a form where we will ask you for details.

If you are struggling to complete the form or cannot fill out the form for any reason, please don’t worry.

We are at the end of the phone and can talk you through the application.

Apply to Connect to Work

Prefer not to fill in a form?

Please call us on 01992 556194 for help with the application process

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