The Summary
At the beginning of 2025, OCS and Everton Football Club announced a five-year contract for integrated facilities management services. The partnership focuses on recruiting from the local community, with an emphasis on sustainable long-term employment and skills development.
In preparation for the new Everton Stadium’s official opening, OCS aims to recruit over 60 cleaning colleagues. The team has scheduled three test events before the July launch, with the first taking place on 17th February 2025.
OCS, in partnership with Everton in the Community, has started providing local Liverpool residents with access to these employment opportunities. A series of employability events have been organised to support these test events and prepare for full implementation in July. As a result, 49 job offers have already been made, making a tangible positive impact on the local community.
The Customer
Everton F.C., a founding member of both the Football League (1888) and Premier League (1992), competes in England’s top division. The club will relocate to Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in the 2025–26 season, contributing to Liverpool’s North Docks regeneration.
OCS partnered with Everton in the Community (EitC), the official charity of Everton Football Club, to enhance lives in the local area. Since 1988, EitC has tackled social issues, including mental health, education, employment and social inclusion, supporting vulnerable groups through 60+ programmes and earning numerous awards for its impactful work. By leveraging the power of sport, EitC drives positive change, promotes well-being, and strengthen community bonds, making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
The Challenge
The goal is to recruit 60+ local cleaning colleagues through a welcoming, supportive recruitment process, reflecting OCS and Everton Football Club’s values.
The initial employability events mark the beginning of a long-term commitment to providing sustainable employment and professional development opportunities. In collaboration with Everton and Everton in the Community, OCS supports workforce upskilling through Blue Base workshops and the monthly Blue Base Food Pantry Jobs Fair. The ‘Blue Mile’ is a criterion for the food pantry, which ensures that beneficiaries reside within 1-mile radius of the venue. These initiatives help connect local community members with job vacancies, enhance employability, and contribute to the region’s economic growth.
The Solution
OCS and Everton in the Community organised recruitment events with key stakeholders, including the OCS Recruitment Team, OCS Stadium Management & Admin, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and the Everton in the Community team.
The events are welcoming and informative, starting with introductions from Maxine Roberts (EitC) and Abbie (OCS Recruitment Manager), who provided attendees with an overview of the available roles and the business. The team interviewed every applicant and gave constructive feedback to those who were unsuccessful to support their future employability.
This collaborative approach ensured a thorough, supportive recruitment process aligned with OCS and Everton Football Club’s community-focused values.
The Outcome
A total of 61 candidates attended the first of the planned recruitment events, resulting in 49 job offers. The team invited successful applicants to an induction, including pre-cleaning the new stadium for the test event on 17th February.
The first test event, attended by 10,000 fans, was a success. A team of 40 cleaning operatives supported the event, with 12 maintaining cleanliness throughout and 10 managing post-event clean-up. Additionally, 30 security officers ensured the venue remained safe and well-maintained for all visitors. The event highlighted the effectiveness of the recruitment and training process, establishing a strong foundation for future operations.
“Working directly with the OCS team for the recruitment of Cleaning Operatives for our new stadium has been superb! The impact of our partnership on the local community is demonstrated by the number of job offers made at our recent Goodison Park recruitment event— a result even David Moyes would be proud of!”
Maxine Roberts
Adult Enrichment Manager, Everton in the Community
“This contract and club are all about people, and the team worked tremendously to ensure this was considered at every stage of the recruitment and onboarding process. It’s an excellent example of bringing the OCS TRUE Values to life.”
Lucy Haddon
Head of Contract Support, OCS UK & Ireland – Private Sector FM
