A new £10.4 million employment programme has been approved to help residents in Swindon and Wiltshire find and stay in work. The Connect to Work programme, which was given the green light by Wiltshire Council on 29 April 2026, aims to provide tailored, one-to-one support for people facing complex barriers to employment.
Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions as part of the government’s national Get Britain Working strategy, the service will run until 2030. Participation is entirely voluntary, offering assistance to those who are disabled or have health conditions and wish to enter or progress in the workforce. The initiative is fully covered by a government grant, meaning there is no cost to the local council’s core budget.
As part of the roll-out, £2.2 million has been awarded to The Shaw Trust Limited. The organisation will deliver specialist support known as Individual Placement Support, which is designed to help participants manage health and skills needs alongside their search for employment. The trust is the largest provider of these specific services in the UK outside the NHS.
Councillor Jon Hubbard, cabinet member for children’s services, SEND, education and skills at Wiltshire Council, stated that the programme is designed to help those who want to work but face real barriers to doing so. While the Swindon and Wiltshire area currently reports an employment rate of 82.3 percent—which is higher than the national average—the new programme is specifically targeted at groups who need additional, personalised assistance to reach their career goals.
The project will work alongside local partners including Swindon Borough Council and the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board to connect residents with health, care, and community services. More information on local employment support can also be found through the Work Wiltshire service.
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