IAG and Technology What does this mean in 2012 and beyond? Blackburn with Darwen Partnership

IT Immigrant or IT Native?

What is the first computer game you remember? Do you remember when someone in your family first got a mobile phone? What technology did you listen to music with as a teenager? How many TV channels did you have as a child – and were they in colour? Do you remember breakfast TV being launched? Did you always have computers at school? ‘Big advances’ versus ‘micro advances’

Current Context National Careers Service Education Act 2011 – move of responsibilities Budget challenges Fragmentation of Connexions Service vs Consolidation of Next Steps Burgeoning worklessness programmes Raising the participation age Rapidly developing technologies Accessibility of hardware and software 157 Group Report

Communications Hyper-routes Mobile Phones – text, web alerts, access Specific Applications for Smart Phones Skype, Twitter Facebook and other social networking Flash mob type activities Web Assistants/Web Chat

Information Tools and Platforms Provider Web Sites Area Prospectus Online Application Processes – National Apprenticeship Service, Jobsites, Jobcentre Plus, Employers Student Loan Service YouTube and other share sites National Careers Service/Next Step/Directgov

The Power of Personal Presence Emotional Intelligence – reading the customer’s requirements, motivations and intentions Encouragement and support Flexibility – ability to change direction, make complex links Real, pragmatic information Quality assured, qualified and experienced staff

Mix and Balance Is the user IT Native or IT Immigrant? Does the provider use the customer’s preferred media? Should information be ‘pushed’, or wait for enquirers to ‘pull’? Are employers ready for IT Natives? Extracting IT Natives from their appliances! Role of personal advisers – one to one advice? Guides to accessing information? Reading the customer’s motivation? Helping IT Immigrants? Emotional intelligence

Tracking and Quality Assurance NCCIS, provider tracking systems, website hits, online queries... How to quantify interventions? Impact rather than inputs? How effective will schools destinations measures be? Worklessness interventions paid on longer term outcomes? Raising the Participation Age – are we tracking the right things? Independence, qualification levels and impartiality of face to face advisers

Some Key Thoughts Cost efficiencies in using new technologies Be smart in developing platforms and apps – days of project funding are over! Find out about, and make best use of all interventions available in your area, from volunteer mentors and support agencies, to Jobcentre Plus programmes, ESF funded activity etc Most of all - maximise purchasing power to buy quality assured, qualified professionals to target help at those who need it most