Shaw Trust

We understand that finding the right job can feel overwhelming, that is why we are here to support you in that journey, and introduce you to find exciting job opportunities that you may not even know exist!

We’re firm believers that the most powerful path to helping individuals move into work that suits them is by actively nurturing, training, and growing their skills right within the workplace.

Our commitment goes beyond just finding you a job; it’s about helping you carve out your future in the world of work. We’ll be your unwavering support throughout this journey, from exploring your interests to landing you the Job, and even after you’ve started, we’ll continue to support you.

WHP Pioneer is more than employment support; it’s an opportunity. It’s voluntary, it’s accessible, and it’s open to anyone eligible and eager to step into the workforce. Your future is yours to shape, and we’re here to make it happen together!

Commencing September 2023, Shaw Trust are extending their Work and Health Programme (WHP) with ‘WHP Pioneer,’ part of the DWP’s Universal Support employment programme announced in the 2023 Spring Budget to support people into work.

WHP Pioneer aims to support around 8,000 people through opening up sustainable pathways to employment utilising key elements of a place and train model. WHP Pioneer is a welcome addition to the Work and Health Programme which launched in March 2018 and has already helped over 18,500 people secure sustainable employment.

Working with your dedicated Advisor, you’ll embark on a journey into the world of work that’s not just tailored but co-created, ensuring it’s uniquely yours every step of the way.

Support includes:

1. Exploring WHP Pioneer to see if it is right for you. Chat with one of our team to determine if WHP Pioneer can support you into employment.

2. Identifying what you’re already great at. Our mission is to unlock your potential. Together we’ll shape your vocational profile to identify what kind of work you could explore, based on your career goals, work experience, unique strengths and what’s available in the job market.

3. Expert Guidance. We offer expert guidance, on CV building, interview preparation, and career development. Within eight weeks we intend to be supporting you in a job search ensuring you’re fully prepared to move into your new role.

4. Tailored Job Matching. Our team specialises in understanding your unique skills, experience, and career goals. We’ll work closely with you to identify roles that align with your interests and strengths, even those you didn’t know were out there.

5. Extensive Employer Network. We have established strong connections with a wide range of employers across various industries. These connections give us access to job openings that might not be advertised elsewhere.

6. Continued support. Managing the demands of a job can be challenging, and we will check in with you regularly, to ensure you are being trained and supported in your new job

Why us?

WHP Pioneer is new and exciting and built to support you individually. That is why it works. Keen to see how far your skills will take you? Let’s get started! Complete the form below and one of our team will get in touch with you within one working day.

Registration Form

Case Studies

Jenny Dillon, Managing Director for Shaw Trust’s Specialist Employability Services (SES), says: “As a provider with over 40 years’ experience of placing people into work, we are delighted to extend our Work and Health Programme provision with WHP Pioneer. This new service will embrace key elements of the place and train model, an approach seen in our successful Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of delivery.

“We will provide economically inactive participants with up to 15 months of support, developing aspirations and moving them into work quickly. We will match individuals to vacancies and deliver effective training and development pre- and post-employment.

“A key focus will be on in-work support in partnership with the individual and employer, ensuring employment is sustainable and opening up opportunities for growth and progression,” adds Jenny.

Louise Cockerton, Head of Employer and Skills Services (SES) says: “We have a strong local and national employer partnership team in place which we are looking to build on to empower candidates within our contracts. WHP Pioneer will offer an enhanced support framework for their journey into the workforce. Our approach not only aids candidates, but also encourages employers to develop inclusive recruitment practices; attracting new talent they may not have accessed before plus aiding in the upskilling of individuals to fill gaps in the current labour market.