A major new package of support for employers has been unveiled by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin today (9 March), as part of a bold push to close the disability employment gap, tackle economic inactivity, and raise living standards and productivity across the region.

The new support is designed to help employers recruit and retain more people with health conditions and disabilities, as part of a £37 million partnership with the NHS to help guarantee a “healthy working life” to everyone in West Yorkshire.

Available from today, the Healthy Working Life offer now includes fully funded training for employers, to make inclusive hiring and workplace practices simpler, easier and more commercially viable to adopt.

At least 250 training places will be made available to employers across West Yorkshire. Delivered online and in person, these courses will equip businesses with the practical tools they need to recruit more inclusively, retain skilled staff, make effective workplace adjustments, and improve staff wellbeing and morale – reducing turnover and unleashing talent.

Alongside this training is a new, comprehensive toolkit, developed in response to business leaders who said that current guidance on inclusive recruitment was too fragmented and difficult to navigate.

The toolkit provides a single, accessible hub of legal guidance, step-by-step support, interactive resources and video case studies from local employers. It covers every stage of employment, from job advertising and interviews all the way through to progression and long-term retention.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “West Yorkshire cannot reach its economic potential while thousands of talented people remain locked out of work through no fault of their own.

“With lower than average employment, our region is home to thousands of grafters who desperately want to work but haven’t received the right support with their disability or health condition.

“With this new training and toolkit for employers, we’re building a fairer, stronger economy where businesses are enabled to become more productive, and people are empowered to secure new jobs and support their families.

“By joining up health, employment and business support together, we’re demonstrating that devolution is working for West Yorkshire.”

The Healthy Working Life partnership between the Mayor and the NHS has been developed in response to lower than average employment figures for West Yorkshire, and the need to boost productivity while knocking down the unfair barriers to employment faced by people with health conditions and disabilities.

If the region’s employment rate matched the national average, it would mean tens of thousands more people in stable, secure jobs – putting more money into local communities and more talent into local businesses, boosting wellbeing and productivity.

Evidence shows that businesses with stronger diversity and inclusion practices report up to 19% higher revenues, and are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors. Halving the disability employment gap across the UK could add £17 billion to the economy.

Businesses will also be offered a graduate recruitment grant of £1,800, alongside support to connect to people with the right skills, to help grow talent and make businesses fit for the future.

The announcement of new support for employers comes ahead of a full meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority this Thursday (12 March), where leaders are expected to approve an uplift in funding for Employment West Yorkshire.

Over the past two years, the programme has supported 16,850 people to overcome barriers to employment, gain new skills, rebuild their confidence and progress towards or into good work. The support available includes tailored careers advice, help with CV writing, expert interview preparation, and reskilling opportunities for the sectors with the strongest local demand for labour.

Local leaders will also consider the emerging Region of Learning and Creativity Strategy, a long-term plan to create a region where everyone – regardless of their background or circumstances – can access the skills and employment support they need to succeed. A central pillar will be the West Yorkshire Promise – a guarantee of employment support and employability training for every young person aged 14-24 who wants it, tackling youth unemployment and ensuring businesses have access to the talent they need to grow and succeed.

By empowering the local leaders who know their areas best, devolution is working for West Yorkshire. Over the past year, 37,900 learners were supported with adult skill courses, with 91% of these being fully funded for the people who need them most. Thanks to devolution, more people than ever with disabilities, health conditions, learning difficulties or other disadvantages are receiving the help they need to have a fair chance at flourishing.

By joining up health, skills, employment and business support all under one framework, the Combined Authority is building a coordinated, region-wide approach to getting people into work, designed around local need rather than fragmented national schemes.

It is expected that this approach will increase participation in the labour market, raise productivity, boost business growth, and ensure that economic growth is felt in every corner of West Yorkshire.

Employers are encouraged to learn more about the new Healthy Working Life support by visiting the Combined Authority website.