16 Dec 2025
This November, The Forward Trust proudly partnered with Skechers to support their new store opening at Westwood Cross, Kent - delivering a recruitment solution that shows what true collaboration can achieve.
Account Manager Abby Mitchell led an operation that proved adaptability under pressure. Skechers needed 15 ready-to-go candidates - fast. Within 48 hours, our team sourced, confirmed, and prepped applicants, while The Forward Trust acted as the central point of contact. To boost success, Employability Tutor Peter Cockle quickly created and delivered a tailored prep session ahead of the group interview. Abby also joined Skechers on the day to ensure everything ran seamlessly.
The result? Confirmed job offers already in place, more pending, and glowing feedback from Skechers on candidate quality. This is recruitment done differently: fast, impactful, and completely free for employers.
This success was built on a co-designed recruitment plan tailored to the store’s needs. By working closely with Skechers, we streamlined the process - sourcing suitable candidates, managing bookings, and reducing admin - saving the employer time while we handled the details.
Before the event, we confirmed working hours and employment sustainability. Our candidates needed at least 16 hours per week, and Skechers committed to considering this when offering roles, ensuring these positions were not just jobs but long-term opportunities.
And our support doesn’t stop at the job offer. For successful candidates, we’ll continue to provide onboarding guidance, help with uniform and travel costs, and practical advice for those first days at work. We’ll check in regularly to make sure they feel confident and supported - because starting a new role should feel exciting, not overwhelming.
With recent ONS figures showing unemployment at 5%, partnerships like these are more important than ever to support The Forward Trust’s mission: helping unemployed people access sustainable employment. Every job offer represents confidence restored, financial stability regained, and a step toward a brighter future for someone in our community.
The Skechers partnership is a perfect example of how we adapt and react quickly to meet employer needs. Facing a tight deadline, we sourced 15 candidates in just 48 hours and delivered a bespoke training session to prepare them for interviews - all at no cost to the employer.
For businesses, this collaborative approach is invaluable. In a climate of high unemployment, employers often face an overwhelming volume of applications. By partnering with The Forward Trust, they gain free, tailored support to identify the right talent quickly and efficiently - saving time, reducing recruitment stress, and ensuring roles are filled with candidates who are prepared and job-ready.
We don’t just fill vacancies - we create innovative solutions to meet recruitment challenges. Whether it’s sourcing candidates in record time, designing bespoke training sessions, hosting job fairs, or running skills simulations, we adapt quickly to ensure employers get the talent they need and individuals receive the support they deserve.
If you’re an employer looking for flexible, tailored recruitment solutions that make a real difference, get in touch with Abby Mitchell, Account Manager - abby.mitchell@forwardtrust.org.uk.
Thank you to Reed in Partnership for collaborating with us on the Restart Scheme - together, we’re building stronger communities, one job at a time.
