The combined contract value will be approximately £130m over five years.
The Work Programme will replace all existing welfare-to-work programmes and focus on achieving long-term employment outcomes. The announcement of the contract awards was made by prime minister David Cameron at one of Rehab JobFit’s sites in Gloucester where the programme will be delivered. It is expected that the first participants will begin the programme in June.
Other preferred bidders include Serco, in South Yorkshire and West Midlands regions. The full list is available by clicking here.
More than 100,000 people are expected to benefit from vocational training, skills development and employment-focused support during the five-year period of the contract. The Rehab JobFit partnership will deliver the programme using its own training and employment resources and a supply chain of local organisations.
Interserve chief executive Adrian Ringrose said: “As a major employer, Interserve has long had a commitment to enhancing the education and skills of its employees and has been a pioneer in working with government to develop a range of training programmes. These work programme contracts enable us to take that commitment a stage further by helping the long-term unemployed find meaningful and sustainable employment. The fresh and dynamic Rehab JobFit partnership brings together Interserve’s experience of managing supply chains and delivering services effectively to government with Rehab Group’s strong track record in supporting people to achieve the skills they need to build lasting careers.”
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