Pioneering ‘People into Work’

Launched by the OCS Foundation, People into Work is a mentoring programme created for and shared with the wider facilities management industry to help deliver social value.

People and purpose delivering on all fronts

The ‘People into Work’ programme, developed by the OCS Foundation, stands a landmark effort within the UK’s facilities management industry, adeptly tackling recruitment challenges whilst advancing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. This initiative opens doors to employment for those traditionally overlooked and often marginalised, including veterans, individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent and the long-term unemployed.

Through strategic partnerships with charities and social enterprises, we’re proud that ‘People into Work’ has transcended mere job placements; it’s about nurturing community enrichment and individual growth. The programme has proven effective in diversifying our workforce, reducing colleague turnover, meeting customer ESG requirements and enhancing operational efficiency.

Demonstrating the business case for People into Work

The People into Work business case is compelling, proven and multi-dimensional. In a constrained labour market, the programme offers an innovative approach by tapping into underrepresented talent pools, thus addressing the skilled worker shortage in the facilities management sector. Its social impact is substantial, with the transition of individuals into gainful employment valued at around £20,000 per person. This transition benefits not just the individuals and their families but also contributes significantly to broader community welfare. 

People into Work encourages loyalty and a more stable and committed team, as indicated by lower colleague turnover rates than industry averages. People into Work aligns with the increasing demand from customers for service providers who can demonstrate community impact and legacy.

Meaningful social impact delivering transformation

People into Work’s success in integrating marginalised individuals into the workforce demonstrates its potential for significantly altering lives, offering pathways to independence, dignity and community integration. 

The OCS Foundation invites other organisations to adopt this model of social change. If your organisation is inspired by the prospect of positively impacting lives while addressing recruitment needs and enhancing your social responsibility footprint, consider embracing the People into Work programme.

This initiative extends beyond recruitment; it’s an opportunity to join a sustainable movement that helps to reshape lives and strengthens communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you would like further information on People into Work or are interested in implementing the programme, please contact our team.

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  • The People into Work programme was launched in 2019 by The OCS Foundation, in partnership with OCS Group UK. Through a range of partnerships with charities, voluntary sector organisations and social enterprises, we help disadvantaged members of the community into employment with OCS.

  • We work with our partners to identify people who would benefit from the programme, identify potential roles and locations, and help prepare them for work in a range of ways. This can include interview coaching, CV guidance and mentoring. We then help (them) prepare them for interviews, and work closely with them and their manager to build the best possible chances of success.

  • It can be anything within the services OCS offers its customers. From cleaning to security, catering to pest control, we match opportunities with people to help ensure they’re in a career that they find rewarding. We are committed to developing our OCS colleagues, and employees who’ve come through the People into Work programme are no different – there is always an opportunity for learning and development, new qualifications, and taking that next career step.

  • The challenges vary depending on the individual. For some, this may be the first time they have been employed, and the prospect can be daunting. For others, they may have had scarring experiences that affect how they view the world. It’s essential that, as an organisation in collaboration with our strategic partners, we provide wrap-around care, understanding the individual and working with them to help them break whatever cycle they’ve become stuck in so they can achieve long-term success.

  • Helping vulnerable people into work is hugely important. From a business perspective, it helps OCS fill roles that may otherwise be unfilled. From a societal perspective, we help vulnerable people into employment, which has a significant impact on their self-worth and their contribution to society and their communities. At the same time, it’s clear to our communities and our clients that we are an organisation committed to bringing about positive social value impact.

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