1. Innovation in the Work Programme 1 Stephen Evans

2. WORKING LINKS BACKGROUND 1. 2

3. About Working Links 3 Established in 2000 to support unemployed and disadvantaged individuals into lasting employment. Unique mix of government, private and voluntary sector ownership. To date, we’ve worked with over 15,000 employers and helped more than 250,000 people back into work.

4. Delivery in Britain Scotland - Work Programme Wales & South West -Work Programme -Work Choice North England -Apprenticeships -Employability London & South East -Work Choice -NOMS Moving On E & W Mids -Apprenticeships -NEETS -ESF Families

5. WORK PROGRAMME EVIDENCE 2. 5

6. Work Programme delivery model REFERRAL From Jobcentre Plus Invitation letter Induction session ASSESSMENT My Way Up: Employability,Skills, Lifestyle Health,Goals, Attitudes INTO WORK SUPPORT Dedicated Personal Advisor Flexible support (such as CV,Job search, Work experience, Training, Health, Coaching) IN WORK SUPPORT Dedicated In-Work Support Advisor Flexible support Help to find next job and build career

7. 4% 3% 7% 10% Demographic data Low confidence 25% Mental health condition 10% Low qualifications 23%

8. Impact on job entry

9. Demographic data Work history and experience are crucial. Once people get a foot in the door they can stay in work, but this helps them get the foot in the door. The longer you’re out of work the less likely you are to find a job Training and qualifications are a pre-requisite. Employers use these to filter, so need to be job relevant and valued by employers Confidence looking for work is a crucial signal Our customers are a diverse group. Other issues like caring responsibilities and health impact

10. INNOVATING IN THE WORK PROGRAMME 3. 10

11. Case study: ESA Challenge Performance across the industry needs to further improve Response Personal Job Account trial for 100 customers in Wales Menu of provision to choose from & rate Go live in late July for 9 month trial Insight Focus groups & data showed differing results per different conditions Range of different challenges Social care showed personal budgets can succeed

12. Case study: Technology Challenge Delivering employability training in a way that engages Response Trial in partnership with My Work Search for 150 customers in South West Early days but popular with customers (volunteers!) and better link to job search Measure success by completion rates and job entry Insight Greater online delivery could save money and allow people to proceed at their own pace Also reduce need for classroom based approach

13. Case study: NEETs Challenge Engaging NEETs for Birmingham SFA contract Response Youth Innovation Board and ‘you said, we did’ So far ½ of Initiate participants have moved into further education & training 90% said the programme had aided their progression Insight Greater involvement of young people in design of provision might gain greater buy-in and better results

14. LOOKING AHEAD 4. 14

15. Aims Context -There will be less money for all employment and skills programmes -So need to ensure more than ever that every £ is well used Evidence-based innovation -Way to do that is through evidence-based innovation -Effective use of data & constant innovation: test, learn, adapt Outward facing We don’t have all the answers, keen to hear from those with ideas

16. Aims (2) Assessment & streaming -How can we use data analytics to better predict who is least likely to find work & target support? -Useful for Work Programme, but also upstream (eg JCP) Job search support -How do we deliver in a more tech based, self service way, while providing more intensive support for those that need it? -Use of remote support, Apps, text etc Retention & progression Adding in progression support for a Universal Credit world