Case Study

Parking company’s employment policy is just the ticket for jobseekers

25 Sep 2024

“Send them along” ... three little words that are helping to change the lives of jobseekers thanks to the close relationship built between Ingeus and parking management company APCOA.

It’s the response that Sharon, a Working Well (Work and Health Programme) Employer Specialist for Ingeus in Wigan, gets when contacting APCOA’s Kevin with a potential employee.

So far that invitation to an interview has seen eight people, who have struggled to find work due to a variety of mental health conditions, taken on in the past three years. All of them remain happily employed there.

“It’s a brilliant relationship,” says Sharon. “Kevin is prepared to support vulnerable people, or those who haven’t found their strength yet, and he coaxes that out of them and helps build their confidence. 

“He recognises something in people that I do, so we see things the same. Whenever I call into the office to check how the people I’ve put forward are getting on I can see the difference in them. It’s lovely to see them so confident.”

The eight recruits, participants from a range of Ingeus’ employment programmes, are employed across admin and customer service roles. Among those taken on is Luke, who struggled with anxiety. He was referred to APCOA by Sharon under the Government’s Restart Scheme for jobseekers who have been out of work for nine months or more.

Luke’s nerves meant initially he was reluctant to go to the office for an interview so Kevin, APCOA UK & Ireland Customer Service Manager, met him at the bus station and talked to him in general terms before asking any work-related questions.

Luke, 29, says: “I’ve only had temporary jobs in the past and I am anxious by nature, but Ingeus helped with interview techniques and Kevin was relaxed and welcoming and put me at ease.

“I work processing parking tickets and get along with everyone. It’s quite a relaxed environment, a good atmosphere. This is the longest I’ve worked anywhere. I’m happier and more outgoing, my anxiety has calmed down a bit and having a regular wage has helped me a lot.”

Another successful applicant was 37-year-old Katie, who lost her job as a nursery assistant due to ill health and was out of work for nearly two years. Sharon recommended her to APCOA under the Work and Health Programme, which supports people whose barriers to finding jobs range from disabilities and health conditions to experience of the criminal justice system. 

She says: “Sharon told me ‘I’ve got the perfect opportunity for you’ and she was right – I’ve never worked for a company or management like this where everyone is treated fairly.”

Katie works as a Customer Service Representative on the busy Ireland desk.
“I didn’t choose to be stuck at home without a job,” she says. “I’ve always worked since I left school. I’ve been here for a year now and, with a son of 13, having a regular wage is a great help.”

Kevin said: “Ingeus understands our requirements and puts forward people that are more than capable with a little support. 

“Working alongside Sharon and the team has been great – we have had so many amazing employees come through our doors.

“I went to a special educational needs school and was written off, told I would end up in a dead end job. So I want to do something for people who ordinarily might not be given the chance to work in a big business like ours. 

“We give them all the help and guidance they need, such as one-to-one training instead of in a group and, if they struggle in loud rooms, we give them quieter rooms to work in. 

“We try to help them develop new skills and grow in confidence, to either stay with us at APCOA or move onto other adventures."