Case Study 5 - The Job Shop
The Job Shop is a universal service, open to everyone living in Coventry. Job Shop staff identify those who have low, moderate, or higher levels of need and vulnerability, and offer services according to that level of need. Those who are assessed as being furthest from the job market are then able to access a wide range of services suited to their needs, taking a proportionate universalism approach. It also uses the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) to inform its outreach strategy, targeting interventions where they are needed most so vulnerable residents are not left behind.
The Job Shop supports the delivery of the Coventry Skills Strategy aspiration to improve all educational levels closer to national averages by producing clear pathways to the jobs young people and adults strive towards and to have the skills that meet the needs of local employers now and in the future; being fully inclusive and supporting those most in need.
The Job Shop operates a Hub and Spoke model, with services reaching into community locations such as family hubs, libraries, and medical centres to reach even the most deprived areas of Coventry, engaging residents where they live. This makes services more accessible, reducing some of the structural barriers that often prevent disadvantaged populations from accessing employment support.
The Job Shop plays a crucial role in focusing on the intersection of employment, education, and community well-being, through helping individuals develop new skills, navigate digital job applications, or overcome barriers like low confidence. The Job Shop delivers personalised support that goes beyond just finding jobs, equipping individuals with tools to sustain long-term employment and improve their quality of life through stable employment. The Job Shop has focused its efforts on those who face multiple barriers to employment, including migrants, older job seekers, and those with caring responsibilities.
What our organisation did
One example is the support provided to a recent migrant, a mother who had to balance childcare with the challenge of entering a new job market. Despite having significant experience in banking and human resources, her lack of UK-specific work experience and inability to travel far due to childcare made job searching particularly difficult. The Job Shop created a tailored support plan, which included attending CV and job application workshops and participating in volunteering sessions to build local experience. These sessions not only enhanced her skills but also helped her become more comfortable navigating the UK job market. After significant support, the Job Shop's Employer Engagement Team was able to negotiate flexible working hours, including some homeworking, which met her childcare needs. Within a month, her attitude towards employment had completely shifted from anxiety to excitement as she secured a role in her desired sector.
Successes:
The Job Shop to date has:
- Over 60,000 people registered
- Supported over 15,000 residents into local employment
- Had over 250,000 + visits
- Worked with over 200 businesses per year to support their recruitment
Visit the Job Shop website for more information.