29/07/2025
The Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP) is delighted to welcome Wakefield Council as our newest Corporate Affiliate Partner (CAP).
Step-Up, the Council’s flagship employment and skills programme, has become the first Local Authority Corporate Affiliate Partner in a Pathfinder, and their decision to invest in their frontline teams through IEP membership and learning is a strong signal of their commitment to high-quality, professional employment support services.
Cllr Jack Hemingway, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, said:
“It’s great to see our Step-Up team take this step forward in the development of our service – it will help them to provide even better support to our local community. Step-Up has already achieved so much and helped so many people find work or improve their skills. By raising our standards even further, we’ll be able to deliver even better outcomes for our residents.”
The Council will be supporting 20 staff members to become IEP Members and will begin their learning journey with the IEP Award in Employability Essentials – a series of informative eLearning modules designed specifically for employability practitioners at all levels. This Award provides solid sector knowledge and best practice guidance, making it an ideal platform for upskilling and progression towards accredited qualifications through the IEP Learning Academy.
They are the first Local Authority Corporate Affiliate Partner in a Pathfinder area, and we are delighted to be able to work with them to promote the benefits of professional workforce development and its importance in raising standards and delivering better outcomes for citizens.
Reflecting on the partnership Sharon Marshall FIEP, Employment Strategy Manager, Step Up, Wakefield Council said:
“I’m incredibly proud to see Wakefield Council take this step forward in championing professional development for employability practitioners within a Local Authority setting. As someone who has worked across both local government and employability delivery, I know how vital it is for staff to feel connected to a wider professional identity. Becoming a Corporate Affiiate Partner of the IEP gives Wakefield’s team access to high-quality learning, a supportive professional community, and recognition for the important work they do every day. It’s a brilliant move that will have a lasting impact.”
Scott Parkin FIEP, Group CEO of the IEP, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Wakefield Council into the IEP community. Their commitment to investing in their employability teams reflects a shared belief in the value of professional development and the power of raising standards through learning.
As a Fellow of the IEP and longstanding supporter, Sharon Marshall FIEP has played a key role in this journey – including giving her own personal insights into Connect To Work and the commissioning landscape at our IEP Talks Manchester event last year. It’s fantastic to see her support turn into action and we look forward to supporting Wakefield and learning from their experiences as another recent Local Authority entrant to the IEP network.”
In addition to the Employability Essentials Award, Wakefield Council will have access to the IEP’s broader offer, including accredited pathways, leadership development, Fellowship, and our Connect to Work training programme – designed to support the delivery of newly commissioned local employment services.
We look forward to working closely with Wakefield Council as they continue their journey with the IEP, supporting their teams, strengthening services, and embedding professional practice at the heart of local employability delivery.