Employment

Big Issue Recruit aims to get Britain working

Introducing Big Issue Recruit, our latest initiative to bring opportunities to marginalised people

Big Issue vendor James Bradbury and frontline worker Shane Ludlam. Credit: Chocolate Films

The UK is experiencing an employment crisis. In the aftermath of Covid and Brexit, many industries are finding it hard to fill key roles. There are currently 1.3 million job vacancies across the country, according to ONS figures. Yet there are also 1.2 million people registered as unemployed, and 15 million people trapped in poverty. 

Against the backdrop of a rapidly rising cost of living, the latest initiative from Big Issue Group aims to address this predicament. Big Issue Recruit is a brand-new initiative to bridge the gap between recruiters who are crying out for workers and the excellent candidates who have previously struggled to get in the door. 

The Big Issue was launched some 31 years ago with a radical model that to this day offers some of the UK’s most marginalised people a hand up, not a handout. Every week, 1,000 or more people who have experienced poverty can earn a living by buying the magazine for £1.50 and selling it for £3. Every week, readers like you are part of that movement to unlock opportunity for our vendors. 

Your support changes lives. Find out how you can help us help more people by signing up for a subscription

In recent years, our continuing dedication to changing lives through enterprise has seen the launch of Big Issue Invest, which supports social businesses and charities to deliver social, economic, and environmental impact across the United Kingdom. We have also developed an eBikes scheme to create employment opportunities for the marginalised in Bristol. This soon moves to Aberdeen. We are part of Big Exchange, which is all about finding ethical ways to manage your money and savings,  better for people and planet.  

Big Issue Recruit continues this tradition by breaking down the barriers faced by marginalised people who traditionally have been ignored as potential recruits, even when they have transferable skills that would be of great benefit to employers. 

Big Issue Recruit will support individuals who are facing poverty to help them into sustainable employment. Before they start filling out applications, they will get coaching to make sure they’re ready for the workplace. This will ensure they are in a stable environment, have the right skills for the job and have the confidence and resilience to begin a placement.  

Once the candidate is ready to go, Big Issue Recruit will coach them through the recruitment process and help them get on the right footing with their new manager. Support will not stop on the first day of their new job. Starting employment can be a major life change, and Big Issue Recruit will be there to help candidates overcome any issues arising in the process. They’ll also have access to ongoing training and development. 

It’s yet another way Big Issue Group is opening the door for marginalised people to work their way out of poverty.   

Are you an employer with vacancies to fill? Or a candidate looking for work? Find out more about how to get involved with Big Issue Recruit at jobs.bigissue.com

Get the latest news and insight into how the Big Issue magazine is made by signing up for the Inside Big Issue newsletter

This article is taken from The Big Issue magazine, which exists to give homeless, long-term unemployed and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income.

To support our work buy a copy! If you cannot reach your local vendor, you can still click HERE to subscribe to The Big Issue today or give a gift subscription to a friend or family member. You can also purchase one-off issues from The Big Issue Shop or The Big Issue app, available now from the App Store or Google Play.

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
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