Speaking language of helping one another

Hundreds of people with 28 different languages between them have been helped to integrate into life in Staffordshire.

Staffordshire County Council is focusing on helping newcomers to the county to settle into their communities and find work.

And new figures show that in the last 12 months Afghans, Ukrainians and speakers of 26 other languages have been helped to find their feet here.

Alan White, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “One of Staffordshire’s strengths is the resilience of our communities and how people help and support one another in so many different ways.

“When newcomers arrive here, for whatever reason, the sooner they find their feet in their community, they can find work, put down roots and begin to contribute themselves.”

More than 750 Afghans and Ukrainians have settled in Staffordshire, with support ranging from music lessons for talented youngsters so they can continue playing; English lessons for adults and help searching for jobs and preparation for interview; and improving a teenager’s English so she could be offered a place on a business degree course at Liverpool John Moore University.

As well as its work in the community with those facing barriers to finding employment, a report to be considered by the county council’s Cabinet also notes the authority’s approach to its own staff.

The introduction of a new recruitment system means vacancies are being filled faster, while staff retention at the one year mark has increased to 83 per cent.

The county council is also working with its highways contractor Amey to help people facing barriers to employment:

• Care leavers can take a paid 12-week work experience placement, with one offered a permanent role;

• 58 have had training and experience opportunities;

• 40 have spent time working through the ‘open door’ programme, which has led to 28 full-time jobs.

Currently 77 per cent of the authority’s workforce are female.

The number of women in the highest-earning group of staff at the authority has increased slightly to 73 per cent and the report says that the pay gap between male and female workers has narrowed again.

Alan White said: “Just as we’re promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across Staffordshire, we must make sure we do so within the council.

“I’m pleased to see that the gender pay gap is reducing, there’s more to be done but it’s moving in the right direction.”