Supporting Career Progression Through Digital Inclusion
Overview
Digital access is increasingly essential for work, learning and everyday life. However, many residents who are already employed still face barriers caused by a lack of suitable technology, digital skills or confidence.
To help address this challenge, Bury Council's In-Work Progression Service partnered with the Bury Works: Digital for All Device Refurbishment Scheme. By combining personalised employment support with access to refurbished laptops, the partnership has enabled residents to access training, secure employment, progress at work and develop their own businesses.
The Partnership
The Bury Works: Digital for All Device Refurbishment Scheme provides refurbished laptops to residents experiencing digital exclusion. Devices are gifted rather than loaned, allowing recipients to continue benefiting from digital access long after receiving support.
Working alongside the In-Work Progression Service, the scheme helps residents overcome practical barriers that may be preventing them from achieving their goals. Referrals are assessed to ensure individuals receive the wider support they need, including digital skills training, connectivity support and employment advice.
Identifying a Need
While there is a wide range of support available for people looking for work, we identified a gap for residents who were already employed but needed help to progress.
Many people were relying on outdated laptops that could no longer support online learning, job applications or workplace training. Others had no device at all and were attempting to complete job searches, applications and learning activities using only a mobile phone.
For residents facing rising living costs, replacing a broken laptop was often unaffordable, creating an additional barrier to career progression and personal development.
Making a Difference
Between October 2025 and August 2026, the partnership supported 17 In-Work Progression Participants with refurbished laptops and personalised employment support.
The devices enabled residents to:
- Complete online training and qualifications.
- Apply for jobs and update CVs.
- Access workplace induction and training.
- Improve digital skills and confidence.
- Explore new career opportunities.
- Grow small businesses.
- Continue education and professional development.
The impact extended across all age groups, from young adults accessing training and employment opportunities to older workers seeking alternative careers following redundancy or health-related challenges.
Case Study: Finding a Better Work-Life Balance
When Participant 1 joined the programme, they were working in hospitality while caring for a young child. Regular weekend work, late-night shifts and changing hours were creating significant childcare challenges and affecting family life.
Working with the In-Work Progression Service, Participant 1 received support to explore career options, identify transferable skills and apply for alternative roles. During this process, a lack of suitable technology was identified as a barrier to searching and applying for jobs effectively, so a refurbished laptop was provided.
Following support with CV development, applications and interview preparation, Participant 1 successfully secured a new role with more family-friendly working hours.
Participant 1 said:
"Thank you for the brilliant support and help you have given me since I joined the programme. Especially grateful for the digital support and laptop you were able to provide for me, as it will help me carry on updating my CV and looking at other suitable roles. Life is better already and that's down to that support and just being that ear to listen to all my issues with no judgement."
The support helped Participant 1 move into employment that better suited family commitments while improving wellbeing and reducing stress.
Case Study: Supporting a Career Change Following Redundancy
When Participant 2 accessed support, redundancy was approaching after a long career in manufacturing. Although highly skilled, Participant 2 lacked confidence in how these skills would transfer to other industries and did not have an up-to-date CV.
Alongside personalised employment support, Participant 2 received a refurbished laptop to support job searching, applications and online research.
Working together, transferable skills were identified and a new CV was created to showcase experience in quality control, problem-solving, teamwork and manufacturing processes.
Before redundancy took effect, Participant 2 secured employment with a new employer and moved directly into another role.
Participant 2 said: "My new employer loved my CV ... a very difficult and uncertain period of time has been made much easier to manage with the support received."
Case Study: Growing a Small Business
Participant 3 was referred after attending a jobs and skills event. Alongside studying, Participant 3 was running their own business but was managing everything through a mobile phone because there was no access to a laptop.
A refurbished device enabled the business owner to manage stock, maintain accounts, create documents and presentations, promote products online and continue studying.
Participant 3 said: "I really appreciate being supported by being provided with a laptop. This is making a huge difference in being able to manage my business effectively and complete my studies. It has really taken the stress away of using my phone to complete all the paperwork and job searching. I have much more freedom and options with this device."
Impact
The partnership has demonstrated how digital inclusion and employment support can work together to achieve better outcomes for residents.
By providing both practical tools and personalised support, the initiative has helped people:
- Secure new employment.
- Increase their confidence.
- Access training and qualifications.
- Improve work-life balance.
- Develop businesses.
- Continue education.
- Build greater financial stability.
Key Learning
- Digital exclusion affects employed residents as well as those who are unemployed.
- Access to suitable technology can be a vital step towards career progression.
- Refurbished device schemes achieve greater impact when combined with personalised support.
- Strong partnership working enables services to reach more residents and deliver more holistic support.
- Existing resources and funding streams can often be aligned to create greater impact without the need for new programmes.
Conclusion
The partnership between the In-Work Progression Service and the Bury Works: Digital for All Device Refurbishment Scheme demonstrates how combining digital inclusion and employment support can transform lives. By providing residents with both the technology and the guidance they need, the initiative is helping people access opportunities, overcome barriers and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
For more information on the In Work Progression Service, please click this link: Greater Manchester In Work Progression Service - Bury Council