Welfare Reform and helping the claimant into work: JGA Conference: 16th May Paul Tucker Senior Partnership Manager Jobcentre Plus 0207 342 3816 | Paul.Tucker1@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Key Priorities, Themes and Initiatives Increased expectation on the customer to take action to find work: Linked to the new ‘Claimant Commitment’ (Including Universal Credit) Skills Conditionality means an increase emphasis on mandation to training with benefit implications if the claimant does not comply. Support for Young People: Linked to Traineeships, Apprenticeships, Work Experience and ‘Day 1 conditionality’ New Government initiatives arising out of SR13 Specific support and expectation for Work Programme Returners Identifying Basic Skills needs at the outset: Linked to ESOL identification and additional training Training customers for the vacancies that are available: Linked to SBWA (Sector Based Work Academies) ‘No one left behind’

Claimant Commitment Claimant Commitment Work Individually tailored to take account of someone’s circumstances Outlines what a claimant must do in return for their benefit Sets out clearly the consequences of not meeting Claimant Claimant Commitment reviewed on a regular basis Claimant Work Coach Claimant Work Accept Work Requirements Create

How does My Work Plan fit in with the Claimant Commitment? “I will find retail vacancies that I can apply for.” “I will log onto Reed and search for retail vacancies. I will do this after I have come back from taking my children to school. I will bring printouts of all the job vacancies I can find and bring them up to show my adviser, Steve.” “I will collect all three local newspapers from the newsagent down the street after breakfast and find all the job vacancies that I can apply for. I will bring the newspapers in to show my coach, Alice, and we will discuss how I can apply for them.”

Key Aspects to Employment Offer Support at national, Group, District and Jobcentre level At national level we have account managers for large employers with multiple outlets, at Group level we have an employer engagement team who can ‘hide the wiring for employers, at District level there are account/relationship managers who liaise with employers and at local level Employer Engagements Managers who manage vacancies in conjunction with Universal Jobmatch. Key employers we have worked with recently: Microsoft, Land Securities, Crossrail (with whom we have staff on secondment) Met Police and London Contact Centre Forum. We can provide interviewing facilities, sifting of candidates, sifting of application forms and help with interviews. Key Growth sectors we are aware of are the moment: IT, Technology, Hospitality, Digital ? , Construction Key Barriers we are aware of: Basic Skills needs, ESOL, lack of preparedness, , lack of good careers advice, claimants not being trained for the right jobs, and drugs issues.

Complimentary Offers Apprenticeships: Supporting structure in Districts and Job Centres, liaising with National Apprenticeship Offer to promote vacancies and make claimants aware of them Traineeships: The core target group will be young people who are: not currently in a job and have little work experience; are (i) 16-18 and not already qualified at Level 3 or (ii) 19-23 and have not yet achieved a full Level 2 Traineeships are not for those likely to off-flow from benefit relatively quickly, nor are they for those significantly disadvantaged in the labour market. Other DWP programmes of support are available to meet the requirements of these claimants College and Provider Training: Ensuring that the training meets the local labour market needs Sector Based Work Academies: Ensures that training is made available for known and anticipated employer vacancies. Combines: Pre-employment training, work experience and guaranteed interview.

1.Day 1 Conditionality Phased implementation planned Apr to Oct 2014 Pre-Work Programme JSA claimants will need to demonstrate positive job-seeking behaviours from day one of their claim to benefit. Will be required to get an e-mail account Must have a high quality CV Must have registered with Universal Job match These actions must be completed prior to their first interview at the Jobcentre.

SR13 Conditionality Package. Key Measures to be aware of: ESOL :From 28th April JSA claimants whose spoken English appears to be below Entry Level 2 (very basic speaking skills) will be screened by the adviser at their first interview. If the screening confirms spoken English below Entry Level 2, claimants will be mandated to attend a full assessment by a provider Weekly Job Search Review will be introduced for 50% of pre-Work Programme claimants. Quarterly reviews: Claimants will be chosen at Personal Adviser discretion. Each extra review will be conducted by a Work Coach. The interview will be used to review the previous quarter’s activities with an aim to: widen job search checking skills, reviewing the Jobseeker’s Agreement / Claimant Commitment ,checking compliance and any changes in circumstances

How you can work closely with JCP on the Employment agenda Ensure training offers match the local labour market needs (including apprenticeships) and get regular updates on what the employment position is. Promote Sector Based Work Academies. Ensure that Traineeship and Apprenticeship opportunities are part of the offer during interviews. Liaise with Local Managers, District Borough/relationship managers and the site apprenticeship champions to discuss local needs Have access to the apprenticeship vacancy list and discuss with JCP which ones need to be ‘pushed’ and the best way of doing this. Liaise with advisers on outcomes of interviews and give and seek regular feedback

Key Contacts Paul Tucker: Senior Partnership Manager: paul.tucker1@dwp.gsi.gov.uk, 0207 342 3816 Brian McKeown: Employer Engagement Manager: brian.mckeown1@dwp.gsi.gov.uk 0207 342 3115

Claimant Count: London Jobcentre plus

Claimant Count: Trends

London Labour Market: Vacancies (Jan/Feb 14)

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