Connect to Work

Connect to Work is a voluntary supported employment programme launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help people across England and Wales find, secure, and sustain employment. We are proud to be delivering the programme in Newcastle, in partnership with Groundwork, Newcastle City Council, JET, and Triage. 

Connect to Work provides intensive, personalised help, including individual coaching from employment specialists, job matching services and ongoing support for both participants and employers to ensure sustainable employment outcomes. 

Designed to support up to 100,000 individuals, the programme plays a key role in the UK Government’s Get Britain Working strategy to tackle economic inactivity. 

At edt, our purpose is to increase the life chances of individuals by improving education and skills outcomes. This aligns closely with the focus of the Connect to Work programme in helping people with health conditions, disabilities, or complex barriers to access meaningful, lasting employment.

Participant journey on Connect to Work

Participants will first discuss their support needs with a dedicated employment specialist, before building a personalised vocational profile and action plan, based on their skills, interests and goals. They will then be matched with suitable job opportunities and will meet with employers to align on skills that are in demand. Once in employment, participants will receive support with building relevant skills, adapting to workplace culture, and advancing their careers.

Collaborative, person-centred delivery

Through our person-centred approach, we go beyond job matching by building confidence, supporting wellbeing, and championing long-term success in work. Working together, we are helping to shape a more inclusive and resilient workforce by combining: 

• deep local knowledge and trusted community relationships 
• proven expertise in careers guidance, skills training, and employment support 
• a shared commitment to inclusion and positive social impact. 

This collaborative approach ensures that delivery is locally tailored, effective, and sustainable, supporting people to move forward with confidence.

Driving social value and lasting change

For us, Connect to Work is more than a programme; it is a chance to create lasting social value. It builds on our previous experience in supporting more than 2,000 people move into employment through European Social Fund (ESF) programmes we delivered between 2020 and 2023, and the hundreds more we supported into employment during 2024 and 2025 through Shared Prosperity Fund initiatives.  

In delivering Connect to Work, we are committed to: 

• breaking cycles of inactivity by addressing barriers that help individuals reconnect with work and society
• encouraging collaboration between local authorities, training providers, and employers to build a more inclusive labour market
• strengthening local economies by increasing employment, and driving economic growth, social cohesion, and community resilience.