Employer engagement with third-sector activation programmes for vulnerable groups: interrogating logics and roles

Date

2023-02

Advisors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

ISSN

0047-2794
1469-7823

Volume Title

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Type

Article

Peer reviewed

Yes

Abstract

Employer engagement with active labour market programmes (ALMPs) and related employability projects is seen as vital to their ‘success’. However, the role of employers remains under-researched – a gap which widens in relation to non-governmental programmes led by not-for-profit, third-sector organisations (TSOs). Recent studies suggest that engaging employers may depend on addressing both human resource (HR) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) ‘logics’ and linking the roles of ‘gatekeeper to jobs’ and ‘proactive strategic partner’. A key question is whether TSO-led programmes are better placed to combine these logics and roles in engaging employers to help vulnerable groups into decent sustainable employment. The article explores this through a case study of two projects in England. The findings highlight the challenges that TSOs face in having to appeal almost exclusively to a CSR logic and explores why this is the case.

Description

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.

Keywords

ALMPs, employer engagement, third-sector, unemployed, vulnerable groups, decent sustainable employment

Citation

Butler, P. and Payne, J. (2023) Employer engagement with third-sector activation programmes for vulnerable groups: interrogating logics and roles, Journal of Social Policy,

Rights

Research Institute