Shaw Trust & Careers Development Group announce feasibility review into working more closely together
February 1, 2012
Two of the UK’s leading employment support charities, Shaw Trust and Careers Development Group (CDG) have today announced the commission of an independent feasibility review to explore working more closely together, which could lead to a merger of the two organisations.
The aim of the review is to explore if and how the two charities could together serve more workless people, including those with disabilities and those at disadvantage within society, to help them overcome the barriers they face in finding and staying in work. Working together would build on the individual strengths and experience the organisations both have.
John Briffitt, Chairman of Shaw Trust, said: “For the last thirty years, Shaw Trust has worked at the heart of the community; helping thousands of disabled or disadvantaged people to build confidence, motivation and the skills to find and sustain work. That mission continues but we also fully recognise the ever-growing challenge of delivering vital services to our clients with the realities of a more commercially driven Welfare State.
“We think that a blending of Shaw Trust and CDG may potentially better meet this challenge. With shared values and a common purpose, it may bring about a stronger voice, more innovative services and most importantly, significant benefits for our clients across the UK. We now want to confirm this and await the results of the feasibility review.”
Raoul Pinnell, Chairman of Careers Development Group, said: “The two charities have a similar ethos of care and support for those out of work, but with a slightly different focus in terms of their core customer group. CDG serves people who have been out of work for some time, while Shaw Trust works with people at disadvantage or with disabilities. This means the main programmes each delivers are complementary.
“The Department for Work and Pensions, which commissions us to support people to find and stay in work, rightly continues to demand high levels of performance and efficiency.
“The independent review will help us to conclude whether we can become part of a new force in the sector through the sharing of our experience and skills across a larger footprint. This will benefit more people and allow them to participate fully in society through gaining meaningful work.”