Support available for those facing redundancy in Tameside

Help is available for residents in Tameside facing redundancy because of coronavirus to access support, training and guidance. 

The support also extends to employers considering difficult decisions during this challenging time amid the pandemic.

It also comes from a range of providers across the borough, who can be contacted to find out more about what help is available. 

Tameside Council has collated the information into one easy-to-access webpage to help navigate the options on offer and say it can discuss options to help businesses find the best route.

Extra funding has been made available to the Job Centre to support people made redundant during the pandemic. Anyone claiming benefits due to unemployment will have access to a jobs coach to help them find a job, access training and maintain their health and wellbeing.  

Since lockdown, there has been a sharp rise in the number of people out of work in Tameside, with over 12,000 people now in receipt of Universal Credit and looking for work.

The Tameside Business Resilience Clinic can connect local businesses with experts from the borough in a variety of workplace areas. This could include digital sales or human resources advice.        

Additionally, the Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create new six-month job placements for young people aged between 16 and 24 claiming Universal Credit (UC) and at risk of long-term unemployment. These opportunities are available through an individual’s Job Centre work coach or by contacting Tameside Council’s Employment and Skills team.

Cllr Oliver Ryan, Tameside Council executive member for Finance and Economic Growth, and Cllr Ged Cooney, Tameside Council executive member for Housing, Planning and Employment, said: “If you’ve lost your job, are at risk of redundancy or have to consider reducing your staffing numbers as a result of coronavirus there’s lots of support available across the borough at this difficult time.

"We are committed to helping individuals and businesses in Tameside get through the pandemic and are continuously looking for further ways we can help.”

Anyone who would like to talk about their circumstances should contact the Employment and Skills Team on 0161 342 3111, or email employmentandskills@tameside.gov.uk, and one of the team will be happy to help. Further information is available by visiting https://www.tameside.gov.uk/redundancy-support.