Southampton City Council is helping more residents take positive steps towards employment through its Connect to Work programme, supporting people who face barriers to finding or keeping a job and delivering on the city’s long-term ambition to ensure everyone has the skills, support and opportunities they need to succeed.
The programme is a practical example of Southampton’s landmark Growth and Prosperity Plan, which aims to ensure people have the right skills, support and pathways to succeed at every stage in life. We recognise that inclusive growth can only be achieved when people can access opportunities to learn, develop new skills and secure sustainable employment.
Delivered through the council’s Employment Support Team, Connect to Work provides personalised one-to-one support for people with health related and complex barriers to employment. The programme focuses on people’s strengths and aspirations, helping them explore career options, gain new skills, access training and work experience, and secure paid employment, while also providing ongoing support once they start work, helping them build confidence and sustain employment.
One recent success story is 18-year-old TJ, who has secured his first paid role in the construction industry, marking an important milestone on his journey towards a long-term career in scaffolding.
TJ was referred to Connect to Work by Southampton City Council's Post-16 Team. As a young person with ADHD and Autism, he faced challenges that could make starting work more difficult, particularly around meeting new people, learning new tasks and navigating unfamiliar environments. However, with personalised support from the Employment Support Team, TJ was able to build confidence, identify the right opportunity and successfully enter employment.
Through the council’s strong employer partnerships, the team identified an opportunity with Dodd Group Ltd working on the Morgan Sindall site at Southampton’s Outdoor Sports Centre. The role offered an ideal entry point into the industry and aligned closely with TJ's long-term career goals.
The Employment Support Team provided support throughout the recruitment process, helping TJ tailor his CV, complete site induction training, navigate employment paperwork and prepare for his first day. Ongoing support continued once he started work, ensuring he settled into the role and gained confidence in his new environment.
TJ said:
It’s been going really well, and I enjoy it every day! This job suits me so well and I don’t think we could have found anything more perfect. I am learning so much every day and everyone on the site are cool. It’s so good to have money coming in and to be enjoying my work.
Matt Clarke, Regional Director for Dodd Group, said:
We've been able to welcome TJ, who has joined the team to gain valuable on-site experience, develop new skills, and rebuild his confidence as he works towards long-term employment. Like many people starting something new, TJ was understandably apprehensive about joining a live construction site, having never worked in this environment before. However, with the support and encouragement of the team on site, he has quickly settled in, thrived, and become a valued member of the project.
Councillor Sarah Bogle, Leader of Southampton City Council, said:
Everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their potential, regardless of the barriers they may face. One of the key objectives of our Growth and Prosperity Plan is ensuring people have the right skills, support and pathways to succeed at every stage in life, and TJ's story is a fantastic example of what that looks like in practice.
"Through Connect to Work, we've been able to provide personalised support that has helped TJ gain confidence, secure his first paid job and start building a career in an industry he is passionate about. It's not just about helping people find work, it's about creating opportunities, raising aspirations and giving residents the support they need to achieve their goals.
"TJ's success demonstrates the life-changing impact that can be achieved when local services and employers work together. As our city grows, we want every resident to be able to benefit from the opportunities that growth creates, and programmes like Connect to Work are helping to make that ambition a reality.
Connect to Work is one of a range of employment and skills initiatives being delivered by the council to support residents throughout their lives as part of the wider strategic commitment within Southampton’s Growth and Prosperity Plan to strengthen inclusive skills and employment pathways and support our goal of growing the city.
Alongside programmes such as the Young Adults Employment Hub, the council is working with employers, education providers and partners across the city to create clear pathways into employment and help people develop the skills needed by Southampton's growing economy.
Residents interested in finding out more about Connect to Work can visit the council's Employment Support Team webpages or contact the team directly for advice and support.