17/05/2023 - Going for (and getting) Gold

The team had established an innovative recruitment services partnership called Connect2Luton with Commercial Services Group (wholly operated by Kent County Council) just prior to the Covid pandemic. The goal was to go beyond basic recruitment, to provide direct, flexible support, not only in attracting skilled workers but providing assistance in being able to retain them, especially in areas such as social care, which is facing challenges at a national level. Another key driver for this startup was to provide access to jobs to our residents, which has enormous benefits for our local communities.

This involved establishing relationships with services in the council to forge greater understanding of the needs, aspirations and prospects of recruits and with local employability agencies.

Two years on, Connect2Luton has filled a large number of ongoing placements for the council and has workers in critical front line positions as well as community services. 

The partnership has also been successful in the engagement of local residents, with highly visual recruitment campaigns in the Borough, including the Neighbourhood Services Recruitment Campaign which resulted in employing local residents engaged in roles within Luton’s Neighbourhood Services Team.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Connect2Luton engaged 74 workers for Covid mass testing sites and track and trace teams – the overwhelming majority of these being local people.

Helen Davey, Recruitment Services Manager at Luton Council, said: “We knew what an important impact the Connect2Luton partnership was making to our work here in Luton. Throughout a difficult period in which all councils have struggled to find the right staff our relationship has enabled us to keep ahead of others and not only ensure we attract the best people, but are able to keep them too.

“To receive this award and have our work recognised by others is the icing on the cake. The partnership was set up to ‘make a difference’, and it has!”

The judges commented “This initiative is a shining example of how the investment through a partnership can be used to achieve wholesale benefits across a place and community; through improving employability and work opportunities, an increase in the retention of skilled workers such as qualified social workers, support of the local economy by employing local residents and engaging with local SMEs. Over two years later from going live it has been fully integrated and is flourishing and outperforming expectation through cohesion, transparency and true adaptation of a one team approach”.

Helen Archer-Lock, Board Member for Connect2Luton, added; “I am delighted with this external recognition.  The partnership has been a chance to share the expertise and good practice that enables public authorities to have more control of agency recruitment, which is a vital part of providing good services to our communities”.

Robin Porter, Chief Executive, Luton Council, said: “This award is thoroughly deserved. In a challenging job environment, innovative methods are required and this joint venture has proved to be invaluable. At the heart of its success is the appreciation that the collaboration is working for the people of Luton and giving them the calibre of council employees that they deserve in order to thrive.”