9/10/20151 The Work Programme A rural perspective Brenda Cabras, Director of Employment and Training

9/10/20152 This presentation covers Wish you were here? Reality Check Challenges, what they are and how we deal with them The Prospects Approach 1.Access 2.Overcoming barriers 3.Creating opportunities 4.Stronger working communities Over to you Any Questions?

9/10/20153 About Prospects Leading provider of, careers, training and employment services Prime contractor for Next Step in Greater London; delivering in partnership in Yorkshire & Humber, sub-contractor in West Midlands and Hereford & Worcester Offender learning and support services for Greater London Largest provider of careers advice for young people in the UK, helping more than 350,000 each year We have over helped over 20,000 people into sustainable employment over the last 4 years Experience of DWP contracts; New Deal, Community Task Force, Professional & Executive Programmes and programme centre delivery Prime Contractor for CPA 11, Devon Cornwall, Somerset & Dorset, Sub-contractor in CPA 12, Bristol Leading Sub-contractor in London East; Greenwich, Sutton, Southwark, Merton, Lambeth & Hackney Successful supply chain networks and partnerships, private, public and voluntary/charity sectors Pioneered use of psychological techniques and CBT to boost employability

9/10/20154 Wish you were here? Devon, Cornwall, Somerset & Dorset, areas of outstanding natural beauty and high quality environment… BUT

9/10/20155 Reality check? South West recorded fall in number of people claiming unemployment benefits last month, but the dole queue longer than year ago Jobless total 2.34 million, according to the Office for National Statistics Monthly decrease reflects seasonal pattern of summer jobs, in tourism and farming Each year South West sees jobs boost between April to October, service work in hotels, restaurants, seasonal activity Last month's claimant count figure higher than May last year In South West, 20,000 jobs created in last year, but offset by loss of 14,000 jobs, mainly from public sector.

9/10/20156 Challenges Transport/distance Travel/access Hidden deprivation Limited opportunities-technical professional jobs Low wage economies e.g. weekly wages in Dorset average £447 per week, below National average Seasonal employment Stereotypes/cultural factors Lack of affordable housing-some of highest prices in UK Limited local training/FE, HE opportunities Decline in traditional employment, fishing, agriculture Little manufacturing or high level service jobs

9/10/20157 Access Community delivery throughout region, use of local centres and Advisers Guarantee of customer travel time, limited to 30 minutes Financial help for travel and childcare “Am I there yet ?”; intervention to support travel to work outside locality

9/10/20158 Creating Opportunities Community & social enterprise projects to develop skills; gain experience/references Reality camp, undertake group challenges, individuals work as a team member Work trials in local communities and with employers, linked to opportunities in local job market Prospects E-learning platform-over 200 courses, all levels and abilities to learn at home, in community, local libraries and centres Working with employers to find the “hidden vacancies” and to ensure skills and application support meets the needs of local employment market

9/10/20159 Overcoming Barriers Targeted individual help for customers such as, long term, poorly qualified and older jobseekers Workshops to build confidence, self esteem and challenge mindsets Interventions to highlight social benefits of working, meeting new people, building sense of personal achievement Wellbeing promoting healthy and well balanced lifestyles, helping customers to be feel well enough for work Financial benefits of working Promoting good personal appearance, communication, body language and a positive work ethic Rewards given, but chosen by customers

9/10/ Stronger Working Communities Positive mentoring and role models, inspirational sessions Tackling inter-generational unemployment Changing stereotypes and perceptions Workshops on how personal behaviour impacts on others Overcoming environmental and social influences; family, friends or partners, high unemployment neighbourhoods Local community events Sports teams Achievement projects, music groups, DIY, arts, crafts

9/10/ Over to you What do you think should be done to help unemployed customers in rural areas? Any Questions?