£3m fund aims to help more people break into employment

Sheffield residents not in work and not currently actively seeking employment are set to benefit from a £3m fund designed to support them to join or re-join the workforce.

In Sheffield, it is estimated that more than 99,000 residents were economically inactive as of June 2024.

The Government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed £10m in funding for the South Yorkshire region, via the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, to help reduce economic inactivity while stimulating job creation.

This is meant to boost economic growth, improve social cohesion and expand the life prospects of local residents.

£3m of this funding has been allocated to Sheffield, with this cash now accepted by Sheffield City Council.

Funds will be used to deliver the Pathways to Work programme, which will offer tailored support to inspire people to enter, or re-enter, employment, and help overcome any personal or circumstantial barriers to the job market.

Councillor Martin Smith, chair of the Economic Development and Skill Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “To support our ambitions for the growth in the city we must also support our residents in finding good, secure and sustainable employment.

“This funding is welcomed to help us deliver the Pathways to Work programme and support Sheffield residents, help them to thrive and improve their life prospects.”

He added the funding would enable Sheffield City Council’s Employment, Skills and Economy services to engage with more than 2,000 economically inactive residents and progress more than 800 local people into paid employment in 2025-26.

It will also allow for investment to develop infrastructure for long-term reduction in economic inactivity.