ESF Future Open Calls Rob Wadsworth, S4W Ltd

Research into Future Open Calls Desktop review of underlying economic evidence, changing labour market and trends since 2013 Voluntary Action Leicester Technical Assistance Forum Online survey consultation: link from the LLEP website and wide distribution – live until the 21st July Consultation Event – 13th July at City Hall, Leicester Opportunity for an interview with key partners, delivery bodies and members of LLEP People Board

EUSIF Target Groups Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) Job seekers who have been unemployed for over six months Young people leaving the care system People on inactive benefits (e.g. Employment Support Allowance) People with no qualifications or lacking basic skills People with childcare needs People with learning difficulties or disabilities People disadvantaged by rurality People from BME backgrounds Teenage pregnancies / young mothers People from new and emerging migrant communities Substance misusers Those with caring responsibilities People with English language needs Ex-offenders People aged 50+ People supported by the Youth Offending Team or Probation Service Participants in Troubled Families programmes Job seekers

Changing economic circumstances Period of uninterrupted economic growth, creating around 25,000 additional jobs in Leicester and Leicestershire since 2013 Growth in per capita Gross Value Added is the 6th highest of English Local Enterprise Partnerships Employment rate has risen and unemployment has fallen faster than the national average (by 65% since 2013) Youth unemployment has also fallen rapidly and there has been a reduction in NEET rates

Changing economic circumstances Ageing workforce creating replacement demand and increasing skills shortages in businesses, some parts of Leicestershire have falling working age population bases

Changing economic circumstances Reduction in overall level of skills available to the economy through demographic and structural changes in workforce

Changing economic circumstances Reduction in overall level of skills available to the economy through demographic and structural changes in workforce

Changing economic circumstances Whilst employment has increased, low average earnings remain an issue

Changing economic circumstances Employment Rates for BAME individuals remain lower than overall employment rates Employment Rate for BAME residents and overall Employment Rate (December 2016)

Changing economic circumstances IB/ESA claimant rates for those aged 55-64 from 2013 to 2016 have increased whilst the claimant count has fallen IB/ESA Claimant rates for those aged 55-64   November 2013 November 2014 November 2015 November 2016 Leicester and Leicestershire 3.42 3.79 4.58 5.45 Leicester 6.29 6.85 8.29 9.69 Leicestershire 2.33 2.61 3.13 3.78 England 3.49 3.98 4.51 5.59 East Midlands 3.24 3.66 4.54 5.77  

Changing economic circumstances Changes in composition of new emerging communities, in some cases quite rapidly Access to services and employment remain an issue in rural areas and some communities Disadvantaged communities still in relatively the same position Whilst NEET classifications have fallen, there are still high numbers of young people in situations at risk of NEET Number of people on benefits with caring responsibilities has been increasing

Employment Gateway (SFA) £1m   2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Allocation Remaining Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Employment Gateway (SFA) £1m £2.8m Sector Based Initiatives (SFA) £0.2m Entry to Employment Support (DWP) £2.7m £0.34m Ex-Offenders into Employment (SFA) £0.45m NEET Support (SFA) £1.2m Family Inclusion (BLF) Financial/Digital Inclusion (BLF) Holistic Social Inclusion (BLF) £2.6m Rural Social Inclusion (BLF) Social Inclusion for under 25s (BLF) Business/Enterprise Skills (SFA) £0.9m £5.8m Leadership/Management Skills (SFA) Skills Metro (SFA) Employment Hub (Open) £2m £3.2m

Thematic Objectives 8 and 9 Provision ending in March 2018 Potential Gaps in Provision Some NEET Provision Support for some BME groups – with links to additional work focussed ESOL provision Employment Gateway service Support for those with low level mental health problems/disabilities to access employment and training Accessing employment in growth sectors Support for over 50s to play an enhanced role in the labour market Specific support to ex-offenders

Key areas to consider in future calls Should open calls be released for Social Inclusion (IP 1.4) at this point in advance of any formal notification from the Big Lottery Fund about future participation Is additional Young Persons/NEET activity needed and desirable? Where should the emphasis be placed? Is there enough resource in IP 2.2 or is it a Social Inclusion IP1.4 project? Are any of the existing projects that end in 2018 essential, would they work as Open Calls? Health has arisen as a growing issue – does it make sense to put out activity that might compete with the DWP Work and Health programme? Given the level of resources available for over 25s, would targeted provision be a sensible use of resources? Older people generally seem to be a growing issue

Thematic Objective 10 Provision ending in March 2018 Potential Gaps in Provision Skills Metro Support to enhance the employability of graduates and support enhanced retention Business and Enterprise Skills Enabling the development and delivery of Higher Level Apprenticeships SME Leadership and Management Skills Leadership and Management support aimed at support SMEs with Skills Development, HR and workforce planning Specific activity to develop vocational STEM skills Skills to support growth in key sectors, particularly given major capital investment in facilities and infrastructure Support for those who are in unsustainable or low paid employment to move up the career ladder, particularly in the provision of transferable skills

Call Specifications – IP 1.1 Supported centred on BAME communities to increase employment – with a strong emphasis on supporting women and overcoming some of the language/ESOL barriers to work and progression and improving the BAME employment rate (around £1.4m ESF) Support aimed at the Over 50s to re-enter the labour market, especially those that are on inactive benefits – with support for those with health issues or caring responsibilities (around £1.4m ESF)

Call Specifications – IP 2.1 Supported for leadership and management skills in businesses – especially linked to tackling future skills needs, progression and workforce/skills planning and productivity (around £1.9m ESF) Support for workforce and skills development in key sectors –enhancing access to lifelong learning including informal learning and qualifications/part qualifications (around £1.9m ESF) Support for those in temporary/insecure employment including those under-employed and claiming Universal Credit or other in-work benefits – delivery of transferable skills to support progression and career development (around £1.8m ESF)

Call Specifications – IP 2.2 Support to improve labour market relevance of activities to support increasing rates of employment of graduates in SMEs and to increase graduate retention in Leicester and Leicestershire through engaging businesses to increase graduate placements, supporting the delivery of Higher Level Apprenticeships and identifying how to fill gaps in key technical skills (around £1.3m ESF)

Conclusions Strong evidence based and well consulted series of interventions in Leicester and Leicestershire to progress IP1.1, 2.1 and 2.2 to 94% commitment Programme of activity that meets the changing requirements of the Leicester and Leicestershire economy Evidence base and subject matter for any additional calls that may be required Deliverable series of calls with the underpinning of research and consultation to provide potential providers

Contacts Rob Wadsworth Director, S4W Ltd rob@s4w.org.uk Brian Holdsworth Project Manager, S4W Ltd brian@s4w.org.uk