ESF in the North West

Transcription

1 European Social Fund ESF in the North West Promoting employment opportunities for all

2 North West Region region We are using ESF to make a real difference by helping more people to get back into employment and to improve their social and vocational skills. The types of projects that we support range from working with unemployed young people with complex learning difficulties, to working with employers helping them to increase the capability of their workforce. Samantha Mercer, Head of External Funding, Lancashire Learning and Skills Council ESF in England The European Social Fund (ESF) is a European Union initiative to support activities to promote employment opportunities for all. About 3.7 billion of ESF is available in England in the current programme period from 2000 to Some of this funding is targeted on geographical areas that are falling behind most of Europe (Objective 1), or facing difficulties such as high levels of unemployment or economic inactivity (Objective 2). In these areas, ESF is helping more people enter jobs, and upskilling those in work, to meet the challenges of the future. ESF also helps people throughout the UK who need additional support to enter jobs, improve their skills, and develop their potential at work (Objective 3). Many of these people face disadvantage in the labour market, including long-term unemployed people, lone parents, those lacking basic skills and qualifications, black and ethnic minority communities, and people with disabilities. ESF aims to: help unemployed and inactive people into work provide opportunities for people at a disadvantage in the labour market promote lifelong learning develop the skills of employed people improve women s participation in the labour market This North West region booklet is part of a series to promote the wide range of ESF project activity that is taking place locally, regionally and nationally across England. For more information on the other booklets, see the back cover or visit 2 3

3 North West region ESF in the North West The North West region, covering Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside, is economically and geographically diverse. 70% of on ESF projects achieved a nationally recognised qualification. Source: ESF project closure data, Objective 3, 31 December Parts of the region continue to suffer from low economic activity rates, a poor environment and an over-dependence on declining business sectors such as traditional manufacturing, agriculture and, in coastal areas, tourism. However, large and innovative ESF programmes are helping to tackle exclusion, boost skills and increase employment. Two ESF programmes are running during the 2000 to 2006 period Objective 1 and 3. Objective 1 (Merseyside) More than 310 million of ESF is available to projects in Merseyside s five boroughs Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. European Programme Director for Merseyside, John Flamson, is confident that ESF is making a real difference to the skills and employment opportunities of people in Merseyside, but admits there is still work to be done. In every neighbourhood throughout Merseyside more people are in work, but we still have too many who are not active in the workforce for a variety of reasons. So, we will keep supporting skills and employment initiatives, working closely with the community and voluntary sectors, to help give them a fair chance. 87% of completed their ESF course. Source: ESF project closure data, Objective 3, 31 December The funding is invested through Co-financing with Greater Merseyside Learning and Skills Council commissioning arrangements with Local Strategic Partnerships and direct commissioning. Since 2000, the Objective 1 programme has invested in over 1,100 projects, supported over 300,000 people and assisted more than 9,000 businesses. Objective 3 The North West has the second largest Objective 3 programme in England, worth 290 million. According to Shay O Rourke, ESF Policy Manager, Since 2000, Objective 3- funded ESF activity has helped nearly 300,000 people to gain vital skills, qualifications and jobs people who would otherwise be excluded from learning and employment. John Garrett, ESF Regional Contracts Manager for Jobcentre Plus is impressed with how ESF is adding value to Jobcentre Plus projects. Through Co-financing and working with a wide range of partners, Jobcentre Plus in the North West promotes work as the best form of welfare. We are helping unemployed and economically inactive people of working age move closer to the labour market and compete more effectively for work, he said. The funding is predominantly delivered through the region s six Co-Financing Organisations (CFOs): Greater Manchester Learning and Skills Council (LSC); Lancashire LSC; Cheshire LSC; Cumbria LSC; Greater Merseyside LSC; and Jobcentre Plus. CFOs bring together ESF and domestic funding to enhance and expand employment and training provision. 4 5

4 North West region The remaining money is allocated for activities such as Global Grants, which seek to help those who are furthest away from the labour market towards employment. The programme provides small grants of up to 10,000 to small, community organisations that are unable to gain mainstream access to ESF. These organisations are often well placed to engage disadvantaged people who find it difficult to enter mainstream employment programmes. The balance of funds is allocated to organisations that bid directly to the Government Office. Key performance outcomes for Objective 3 in the North West 48% of were in employment on completing their ESF activity. Source: ESF project closure data, Objective 3, 31 December The organisation that receives the most Objective 3 funding is the Big Life Company in Manchester, funded from both Jobcentre Plus and Greater Manchester Learning and Skills Council. The organisation runs a number of ESF projects, including Big Life for Employment, which offers tailored 26-week packages to those who are overlooked by mainstream employers, such as the homeless, ex-offenders, refugees, lone parents and those with alcohol and drug issues. 100% 75% 50% 25% 48% in work on leaving 70% gain a positive outcome 87% complete their course 40% gain a qualification Regional priorities The North West Regional Development Plan identifies three priorities for the ESF Objective 3 programme. These are to: facilitate the effective access of unemployed and economically inactive people of working age in the region particularly those at most disadvantage into the labour market; provide a learning environment, which supports employers in developing a highly competent workforce, and in pursuit of skills development; and enhance the adaptability of workers in the region to the process of change, with particular focus on those likely to find difficulty in transition or in acquiring appropriate skills. *Out of 282,767. Source: ESF project closure data, Objective 3, 31 December Positive outcomes include: a job, self employment, starting a business, further training or education, and voluntary work. 6 7

5 1 Increasing employability Case study In total 43 have been helped by the project of those, 13 have gone into employment. With ESF funding from Jobcentre Plus, the Employability project is helping deaf people across the North West to enter training and employment. The three-year Employability project, which started in February 2004, is led by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID). The project comprises 26 weeks of confidence building, help with filling out application forms and CVs, job search, basic skills training and work experience. Free deaf awareness training is also given to employers. According to project co-ordinator Lynne Nelson, Many of the are British Sign Language (BSL) users for them this is their first language. As such, they haven t got the same access to standard services as others. This project ensures that these have an adviser who can use BSL. Since the start of the project, 43 have been helped by the course and13 have gone into employment. One individual, Frank, started the course after he had been made redundant, having worked as a wood machinist for 25 years. After meetings with his RNID Employment Adviser, Frank decided that he would like to look for a change in career. Support work with deaf people was something he had always been interested in, but did not feel he had enough skills or experience to do this. After one unsuccessful application, Frank was disappointed, but he kept a positive outlook. And it has paid off. He was offered an interview at Mayflower hospital, in forensic and secure mental health services for deaf people. Frank went for the interview, and a week later he was offered a job as a support worker at the hospital. Contact: RNID Telephone: Case study North West region 2 Women into work Helping women who are seeking to start up their own business is key to the ESF Objective 1 funded Train 2000 project. The project recognises the important role of women entrepreneurs in Merseyside s economic regeneration. Train 2000 is a leading provider of business enterprise services recognising the important role of women entrepreneurs in the economic regeneration of Merseyside. In 2001, the company introduced the Promoting Opportunities for Women in Enterprise and Regeneration project (POWER). So far, POWER has received almost 650,000 of EU funding towards total project costs of over 1.3 million. The programme offers a number of services for women at all stages of the route towards self-employment. It also offers support and advice to women who already run their own business or manage social enterprises. Services include one-to-one business advice, training opportunities tailored to the needs of an individual or business, access to start up loans and advice surgeries. One of the success stories of the project is Nicola Price, a Huyton-based fashion designer. Nicola had always enjoyed making clothes and thanks to the help of Train 2000 Ltd, she now has her own shop. Nicola, who designs and creates clubwear for young women aged between 18 and 30, first set her sights on becoming a business woman when she realised she had discovered a niche in the market. Going to Train 2000 has really helped me. I have received excellent business advice and accessing the Power Loan has helped to get my business off the ground. I really would encourage other women who are thinking about starting up their own business to visit Train 2000 too, said Nicola. Contact: Train 2000 Telephone:

6 Shane, with GP Dr Holden (sitting) who referred him to the project, and (standing) project co-ordinator Val Forrest. 3 New skills the perfect cure Case study Of the 223, 194 went into further learning, 14 entered employment and 15 into voluntary work. ESF funding from Chester and Warrington Learning and Skills Council has helped to create new learning opportunities for people with disabilities and health conditions. The idea of learning referrals started in 2000 when the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) appointed an advisor to work with GPs in Nottingham. Following initial advice and discussion, clients were helped to make choices about the type of learning they wanted to pursue, and individual learning plans were developed. The ESF funded pilot was so successful it spread across the country and with Cheshire and Warrington LSC funding it has provided a vital service within the Cheshire and Warrington area. The Learning on Prescription project ran from January 2003 until January In that time, 223 were helped. Of those, 194 went into further learning, 14 entered employment and 15 went into voluntary work. One such individual was Shane, who was told his shoulder injury meant he would have to have an operation to regain full use of it. He became depressed and visited his GP who suggested he try the Learning on Prescription project. Together with Val Forrest his learning advisor, Shane talked through his options. Val discovered that he wanted to try a music course and she enrolled him on an introductory course. Shane successfully completed a basic skills course and the six-month music course. He impressed his tutor so much that he was invited onto the first HND in music technology at Accrington and Rossendale College. At the end of the two-year course, Shane was presented with the student of the year award at his graduation ceremony. Contact: LSC Cheshire and Warrington Telephone:

7 Government Office for the North West Objective 1 (Merseyside) Tel: Fax: Objective 3 Tel: Fax: Department for Work and Pensions Department for Education and Skills Ref No. GONW.V1 Designed by CDS Ref_ This booklet is produced on Evolution Satin, 75% recycled post-consumer waste paper, Elemental Chlorine free. Additional booklets in the series: ESF in England Equal ESF in the regions: East of England East Midlands London North East South East South West West Midlands Yorkshire and the Humber ESF priorities: Helping more people into work Extending employment opportunities to all Promoting lifelong learning Developing workforce skills Improving employment opportunities for women ESF themes: Equal opportunities Sustainable development Local communities Information society The booklets are available on the ESF website at