Actes named finalist for ERSA Employability Award

Middlesbrough based charity Actes has been shortlisted as a finalist for the ERSA Employability Awards 2018 in the Youth Employment category, sponsored by entitledto.

Now in its sixth year, the ERSA Employability Awards celebrate best practice across the employment support sector and seek to demonstrate the day-to-day hard work and dedication of those working to improve the lives of jobseekers, communities and the wider workforce. 

Actes has supported 8424 people into positive destinations, including employment, over the past three years.  The organisation has been nominated for the Youth Employment award which recognises its work with young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) through the Big Lottery Funded Talent Match Middlesbrough project and innovative spin-off projects that have been designed to help young people lead a better quality of life.

ERSA received nearly 150 entries across ten categories demonstrating the breadth of work involved in supporting people into employment. The award entries were judged by Ashwin Kumar, Chief Economist at Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Tabitha Jay, Director of the Work and Health Unit, Gill Holmes, Senior DWP official and last year's winner of the Adviser of the Year award, Adrian Bailey of Prisoners Abroad. 

As a successful finalist, Actes will attend a special ceremony on 14 June with the Minister for Employment, Alok Sharma MP. 

Sandra Phillips, Chief Executive at Actes, said:

“We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for the ERSA Employability Awards in the Youth Employment category for our work with young people, many of whom are not in education, employment or training (NEET) or who have little financial capability. 

“We use a client-centred approach to help individuals progress towards their goals, be that in education, training, employment or a more stable lifestyle and we are proud to have made a positive difference to so many people’s lives.

“We’re looking forward to a great night at the awards ceremony in June.”

Kirsty McHugh, Chief Executive, ERSA, said:

“This year’s award submissions demonstrate the extraordinary achievements of individuals and organisations across the sector.  The huge number of nominations ERSA received highlights the passion and commitment to supporting employability and transforming lives, communities and businesses. The awards celebrate and champion the best of the work that goes on at the frontline every day in the sector and I look forward to celebrating these achievements at the special ceremony on 14 June.”

Please visit www.ersa.org.uk for a full list of finalists. 

Further information about Actes can be found at www.actes.co.uk or by following on Twitter @ActesTrust