Work, skills and health

There are good levels of employment in Stockton-on-Tees, however a fifth of those employed are paid lower than the living wage foundation recommended rate, which means they are potentially living in poverty. The data shows that many people in work are living and working with at least one physical or mental health condition that has lasted over 12 months.  This demonstrates there is a need to encourage good work and fair pay.   

Initiatives in place in Stockton-on-Tees 

Better Health at Work Award programme 

This is promoted by Public Health and supports good health and wellbeing practices in the workplace through an accredited programme.  In Stockton-on-Tees this supports all size organisations, but predominately medium and large workplaces.   

Benefits for employees are: 

• increased access to health information and intervention  
• workforce is healthier  
• improved focus at work 
• improved general wellbeing 
• reduction in stress  
• increased job satisfaction  
• positive outlook  

Benefits for employers are: 

• recognised regional kitemark  
• increased productivity  
• improved staff morale and performance 
• reduction in levels of absenteeism 
• enhanced organisations' reputation with staff stakeholders and wider community   
• increased staff recognition and feeling valued, supporting around health outcomes to build a motivated and engaged work culture 

Based on figures between the middle of 2021 and January 2025: 

• between 18 and 24 workplaces engaging annually 
• 47 assessments have taken place across all levels of the award 
• maintaining excellence level (highest level) continues to engage established workplaces who can be assessed annually to keep the accreditation 
• 119 staff members have been trained to be health advocates for the award 

Economic Development team

The Economic Development team provide support, advice and guidance to businesses across the Borough including: 

• a Green Toolkit for businesses 
• recruitment support  
• support to grow a business   
• help with contracts and supply chain  

This is all underpinned by: 

• Inclusive Growth strategy  
• Health and Wellbeing strategy  
• establishing a Stockton-on-Tees Good Employment Charter  
• launching a Stockton-on-Tees Employment Scheme 

The Employment and Training Hub  

This supports residents across Stockton-on-Tees at all levels of aspiration. The hub holds a number of recruitment events for those both in work and requiring support, to those furthest away from the labour market.  

The hub offers: 

• direct 1:1 support with young people to develop employability and job seeking skills   
• awareness of opportunities and support available  
• a place that engages, enthuses and empowers young people to seek and sustain education, employment and training outcomes 

To date since the launch of the Employment and Training Hub, the service has achieved the following:

• 1457 residents into work 
• 8146 residents registered with the service  
• 486 businesses supported 
• their Hub on Tour has supported 267 residents in 54 locations across Stockton-on-Tees in all priority wards 

Stockton-on-Tees Learning and Skills  

Stockton-on-Tees Learning and Skills receive funding from TVCA to deliver skills courses to learners who require skills and knowledge to gain employment.  Skills which can be offered are Maths, English and Digital Skills courses as well as vocational subjects such as Health and Wellbeing, Team Leading, Management and Early Years courses.   

They also partner with different employers to deliver courses which employers require such as Care Homes within Tees Valley.  They work closely with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council to ensure staff are work ready by offering Management courses and First Aid courses.  

Youth Guarantee Trailblazer 

There are 3 delivery strands of this initiative:  

• to track 2025 Year 13 leavers  
• to engage and offer support to this cohort and other not in employment education or training (NEET) 18 to21 year olds 
• a work experience programme including 3 month and 6 month paid work placements and a range of other support 

Connect to work 

The Connect to Work programme is a UK government initiative launched under the Get Britain Working Strategy.It aims to help people with disabilities, health conditions, or complex barriers to employment find and sustain meaningful work. It will follow two Supported Employment models. 

Work Well Programme 

The NENC ICB are overseeing the coordination of the Work Well Programme, to be delivered until March 2026, which will be delivered using 3 pillars: 

• having job coaches to help people stay in work, or get back into work   
• supporting health and care workers to stay in work and assist in the waiting well prioritises 
• engaging employers to support their staff within the workplace 

Participation Advisor (PA) Service  

Provides support with establishing realistic goals and all areas of Job search support including:

• CV preparation
• job search techniques
• support with liaising with employers to help a return to work

Social value 

Social value in Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's procurement have a social value policy and supporting businesses to meet their commitments through contract arrangements, supporting sustainable development.  The Council have recently recruited a dedicated social value officer to streamline this process for businesses to maximise social value impact in the borough.   

Catalyst 

Catalyst is Stockton-on-Tees's voluntary development agency. They provide a service to support around Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by facilitating opportunities from the private or corporate sector to help support the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. This may be through volunteering time, sharing expertise and facilities or making a financial donation. Find out more about CSR on the Catalyst website.