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“Tony's dedication has directly benefited our work.”

Head of Business Development, Morgan Cole

A win-win situation

  • Oxfordshire has many of the skills and experience you need.
  • Disadvantaged people make loyal, motivated employees.
  • Employing disadvantaged people is good for you, your business and your community.
  • An opportunity to fulfil your corporate social responsibility (CSR), and demonstrate your corporate citizenship credentials to staff and customers.
  • Potential@Work signposts resources, and provides employers with advice, information, support and training.

Business benefits

Employers can experience significant business benefits when they provide disadvantaged people with work experience or employment opportunities. Why not choose to make a difference for your business and your community? Make Oxfordshire's potential work for you.

Reduced recruitment costs

Many disadvantaged people already have qualifications and work experience, and are readily available for work. Most refugees with low levels of English language skills simply undertake a generic conversion course or spoken English practice to prepare them for work.

Higher retention rates

Disadvantaged employees are highly motivated to work and get their lives back on track. Because of all the hurdles they have had to jump to get to where they are now, they have developed strength of character and a willingness to work hard. With gaps in their work history, disadvantaged people are more likely to stay longer in their jobs. Anecdotal evidence from employers indicates that they show high levels of enthusiasm and loyalty to their company.

Happier staff

A diverse workplace can boost staff morale. According to Business in the Community, 87% of employees believe a company that supports society and community is probably a good company to work for. Your staff may gain great benefit through having opportunities to work alongside or mentor colleagues who have developed strength of character to overcome great difficulties.

Stronger workplace

Your broad, creative recruitment strategy will ensure a strong, diverse workforce. Diversity enlivens traditional ways of working and introduces new ideas, skills and experiences, which can be of great benefit to your business. Employing diverse staff is likely to result in greater consumer confidence among people of similar backgrounds.

High quality skills and competencies

Having successfully overcome diverse life challenges, our clients are resourceful, resilient and self-aware. In addition, refugees are more highly skilled and qualified on average than UK citizens and may contribute new language skills that bring a competitive edge to your business. Research indicated that many businesses struggle to market their services or products to minority and ethnic communities. More than 65% of refugees speak three languages and could be a great asset for your workplace. (Source: Department for Work and Pensions)

Support networks

There is a wide range of information and support available for employers of disadvantaged people, and Potential@Work can point you in the right direction. In addition, P@W partners assist their clients to build robust support systems as part of their reintegration into society, so your new employee could have a ready-made support network in place before their work experience placement or job starts.