Professional Documents
Culture Documents
TAKING A
CHANCE
INSIDE:
● LONE PARENTS TAKE
A STARRING ROLE
● VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR
EXCLUDED YOUNGSTERS
● IN THE SUBURBS: HOW FRENCH
POLICY IS HELPING JOB SEEKERS
TURNING A CORNER 6
How youngsters in
Stockton are being
given a chance
to learn valuable 23 20
vocational skills
W
elcome to the new year issue of
Blueprint, which you’ll find packed
with all the latest goings-on within
A4e, as well as important issues
that surround the business. I hope that you’ll enjoy
reading about what’s happening in various sectors
of A4e, and how we’re continuing to help people get success stories have resulted from the Pathways to
Helping back to the jobs – and lives – they deserve. Work programme, part of which A4e is delivering.
You’ll also notice that there’s a new face in town. Elsewhere, one of our teams in Doncaster was in
those from I’m very pleased to have taken the reins from Sara for a nice surprise – and more than just 15 minutes
McKee, who has moved on to pastures new. Many of fame – when a Channel 4 documentary maker
less fortunate thanks to Sara for all her hard work and dedication chose the team to star in a film about the welfare
backgrounds – I can only hope to make as good an impression
on A4e as Sara has over the years. We wish Sara the
system. Doncaster’s Elevate team was selected to
appear in the documentary after Elevate Trainer,
is at the core very best of luck in her new job. Hayley Taylor, made a great impression on the
You’ll have been hard-pressed to escape the ups series producer. He felt that Hayley had the energy
of A4e’s and downs of the economy over the last few months and passion to inspire her clients – all of whom are
– and, as such, this issue of Blueprint focuses fairly lone parents – to get back into work and training.
ethics heavily on making the best of what can only be You can read their fascinating story on page 12, and
described as difficult economic conditions. A4e’s find out what it was really like to be in front of the
Executive Chairman, Mark Lovell, talks about how camera for weeks on end!
to help businesses survive the recession, and why Finally, we’re delighted that A4e Australia is
it’s even more important to support A4e’s more taking shape – we’re currently pitching for contracts,
vulnerable clients. Read more on page 15. and hope to receive news later in the year as to
Helping those from less fortunate backgrounds whether we’ve been selected to run them. Find out
is at the core of A4e’s business ethics, and we were more about the business, and the issues that A4e
delighted to read the story of one of our Pathways Australia is tackling, on page 23.
clients who became an apprentice chef – having Enjoy the issue!
been homeless, and never previously having a job.
You can read his story on page nine, along with that
of Anna Rayner, who overcame depression to train
as a complementary therapist. Anna now runs her
own business, and also works from various other
complementary therapy centres, too. Both of these
Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of A4e Ltd or Cambridge Publishers Ltd.
News
Plymouth £2.5 million Getting down
programme goes live to business
Business start-ups are The exhibition
not limited to those attracted more than
within mainstream 2,500 visitors from all
industries, as one A4e backgrounds, in care
team found out when and medical disciplines.
they attended the Kidz Many new
Up North exhibition entrepreneurs who
at the Reebok Stadium attended may end up
in Bolton. working within the NHS/
Sarah Whittaker, PCT arena as carers,
Mark Fegan and Robert advisors and in other
Clark from A4e’s NDDP social enterprises, while a
Connect to Work number of delegates are
team, based in Preston, actively seeking to start
attended the exhibition, businesses in a
A £2.5 million European A4e Plymouth Works completion of job and together with Neil number of more
Social Fund programme Plus advisors will offer e-applications. Allday, Matthew Slack specialist fields.
to develop employment one-to-one support to Anyone aged between and Ray Parkes from ‘We are now in the
and skills opportunities clients in areas including: 16 and 65, who works Business Start Up. process of working with
in the South West’s information; advice and fewer than eight paid Kidz Up North a number of females who
biggest city has gone guidance; sourcing and hours a week, will be targeted children with attended the exhibition.
live in Plymouth. funding of educational eligible to apply for a disabilities – both They are looking to
A4e Plymouth Works and vocational training; share of the £2.5 million mental and physical – start a riding school
Plus held a prestigious voluntary work; soft cash pot, whether to enrol which is not an obvious for disabled children, a
launch with Job Centre skills development; on a new employment group to look towards school for children with
Plus at the Copthorne low motivation; course or for some when considering special needs and also
Hotel to highlight confidence; job skills; new kit to start a job, business start-up a sensory play centre
the benefits of the CV creation; interview according to Carol Boyd, opportunities. for blind/deaf children
programme over the techniques; setting up Contract Co-ordinator at ‘Our target audience or older children with
next 36 months. email accounts; and the Plymouth Works Plus. was not the children, mental health issues,’
but the occupational said Allday.
therapists and other ‘With a little foresight,
Training for over-50s welcomed health professionals
that look after the
the less obvious
marketing strategy often
The first major project the planning of the and flexibility. children,’ said Allday. bears the best fruits
to test demand for government’s new Employees were ‘Many go on to become and opens new markets
careers advice and Adult Advancement surprised that anyone self-employed carers, for the Business Start
training among older and Careers Service, was interested in their for example.’ Up enterprise.’
people in work has and for its Train to Gain needs, but when the
just finished in the programme. service was offered,
south east of England. Responses from they grasped it with
Over two years, employers and enthusiasm.
the project, called employees were very Two thirds of them
ReGrow, provided positive. More than said that they were
careers advice and 80 per cent of firms able to do their jobs
follow-up training to identified benefits from better, half planned to
1,139 people aged over the advice and training, take further training,
50 working across the and more than half of and a third said they
region. employers said that it would probably stay
It has important had increased workers’ in work longer as
implications for motivation, productivity a result.
Somerset celebrates
employability skills New year, new
challenges
Celebrating the by everyone. The
achievements of 30 A4e Employability
clients who gained new programme is funded
qualifications in literacy by the Learning and
and maths, the A4e Skills Council. The 15-
W
Taunton office recently week voluntary course hen I get back to my desk after the
had a visit from local starts from entry levels festivities – usually having over-
MP Jeremy Browne, who one, two and three, and indulged, but also having caught up
was able to see how the then goes on to level with all my family and friends – I like
LSC Employability Skills one and two (GCSE) to focus on the way ahead. I really believe you need
programme was working qualifications. to recognise the achievements of the previous year
in the town. Browne said: ‘I am and use them as the platform on which to build the
Organisers for the very impressed by successes we will see in the new year.
A4e LSC programme the dedication of the This year is definitely not without its challenges.
at Victoria House in tutors and staff at A4e We heard in December from the Secretary of State,
Taunton are keen that, Taunton. And those out James Purnell MP, about the drive for further welfare
when clients pass their of work for long periods Emma Harrison reform in his White Paper, and the desire to help
15 week studies, it is are getting the support Chairman, A4e more people get the skills they need to get back into
officially recognised they need.’ work. A4e’s mission is to improve people’s lives, and
I firmly believe that we can help thousands more
people achieve their goals and build their future.
news in brief However, we’re all expecting a tough year with the
WELCOME TO Scotland; and Information economic downturn and rising unemployment, but
THE TEAM Manager for one of the
Business Gateway areas in
You need to it is more important than ever that we don’t leave
Evelyn Rimmer has recently anyone behind. Let’s not forget, most of the clients
joined A4e as Enterprise
Scotland. She
began her career in sales
recognise the we support are long-term unemployed with more
Development Manger,
barriers than most to overcome. But that’s where we
to support and develop
and administration, while also
running her own marketing
achievements need to be even more creative and innovative in our
enterprise project delivery
across the company.
business.
of the previous approach – and that’s what A4e people are really
Evelyn has more than good at.
17 years’ experience of Israel in the year to build
spotlight With the fantastic team at A4e, we’ve been able to
developing and delivering
start-up and business A Labour Friends of Israel
(LFI) event was held at the
successes in grow a small training business from Sheffield into
support projects, most an international social purpose company. We’ve
recently working for a UK- House of Lords recently, which
brought together politicians,
the new year entered new markets in Israel, Germany, France and
wide housing association
(Places for People). Her role academics, charities and the Emma Harrison Poland – and who knows, we might start improving
while there was to develop think-tank community. The people’s lives in Australia this year! We’ve also seen
and deliver community- topic for discussion was the changes in our staff, and I’d like to thank everyone
based enterprise projects evolution of the New Deal
for their fantastic contribution and welcome all new
in Manchester, Bradford, in Israel and the UK. Guest
Leeds, Edinburgh and speakers included James arrivals to A4e. You have my full support.
Newcastle. These provided Purnell MP, Secretary of So let’s put our best foot forward, and embrace
intensive start-up support to State for Work and Pensions; the change and challenges ahead of this year. With
disadvantaged communities David Blunkett MP, Chair
and member of the LFI policy
all these new horizons, together we can make a real
through awareness-raising The A4e team in Australia
events, workshops and one- council; Mark Lovell, A4e is set to be busy this year. difference in 2009.
to-one support. She was also Executive Chairman, and
part of the winning team for Dr Jason Elis.
the Housing Corporation’s Members of the audience
‘Gold Award for Tackling found it interesting to hear
Worklessness’ earlier this year. about Israel’s domestic
Evelyn’s past roles policy challenges and how
include working for Wellpark they compare to Britain’s,
Enterprise Centre in Glasgow, while other attendees said
where she managed the that Mark Lovell’s comments
development programme for were extremely relevant
women-owned businesses; to their work on British
InBiz as Area Manager in domestic policy.
Turning a
corner
Having issues at school can lead some
youngsters down the wrong path in
life – but for the lucky ones, learning in
a vocational centre can give them the Some youngsters who are excluded from school
or struggle with mainstream provision carry their
skills they so badly need feelings of worthlessness with them throughout
their lives, and never regain the confidence to make
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hile being in full-time education something of themselves. However, various schemes
is a good thing for most young that have been set up across the UK are designed to
people, it doesn’t suit everyone. train excluded youngsters in vocational centres.
There are times when learning in an The Vox Centre in Stockton on Tees, which
environment in which you feel an outsider or as if was opened by A4e in September 2008, was the
you’re not gaining much can be counter-productive, brainchild of Vox Centre Manager, Lee Beresford.
and that’s when problems arise. Designed to provide ‘first steps’ training to
currently studying hair and beauty at the Vox would boost the local economy. He also wanted to
Centre, is over the moon that she’s been able to put something back into the community.
do something that she’s interested in. ‘It’s the best ‘It is amazing what young people in the area
thing out of the whole of education that has ever are capable of achieving,’ he said. ‘A4e is giving
happened to me,’ she said. Referred by New Start, youngsters the opportunity to see the real world of
Charlotte is thoroughly enjoying her vocational business, as well as giving companies the chance to
training. ‘If you ever get the chance to attend the integrate with the workforce of the future.
Vox Centre, then I really recommend it!’ she added. ‘We can see that by working in partnership with
The Vox Centre’s facilities are flexible and can A4e, we are really helping to improve the prospects
also provide opportunities for working with a of young people in the Tees Valley area.’
diverse range of client groups, from young people to
harder-to-reach adults.
Because vocational centres offer a service so Making your mark
unique to excluded pupils, a further centre is due National Enterprise Week, part of Global
to be opened in Leeds in early 2009. More are Entrepreneurship week, is a national celebration
planned across the UK, with the aim of having 10 of enterprise in November with events organised
vocational centres by the end of 2010. A4e currently It is all over the UK. During the week, more than 2,000
have similar centres in Grimsby, Pontefract, West amazing what organisations run events and activities to encourage
Bromwich and Mansfield.
young people
Key player
Local businessman Nasser Din, Managing Director
are capable
of Supreme Property Developments Limited, had the of achieving.
vision to develop the business park in partnership
with Stockton Council via European funding. A4e is giving
Nasser Din was a key player in supporting the so many
project. He recognised that to sustain the future
workforce in the area, he needed to help young youngsters the
people to gain the right employability skills.
This, he reasoned, would help improve the
opportunity
performance of local businesses, which in turn to see the
real world of
Youngsters get a taste
of real working life at
the Vox Centre.
business
Nasser Din,
Supreme Property
Developments
Limited
new direction
A
nna Rayner spent several years on
incapacity benefit – she’d suffered from
depression and anxiety for several years,
her motivation was at an all-time low and
she didn’t know where to turn. But after conquering
her illness with the help of alternative therapies
such as aromatherapy, reiki and mediation, she soon
felt ready to return to work.
Having visited the Disability Employment Adviser
at her local Jobcentre Plus, she was pointed in the
direction of the Pathways to Work scheme run
by A4e, where staff helped Anna to identify her
interests. It was there that she realised her future lay
within the realm of complementary therapies.
A year later, with the support of Pathways, Anna
gained the relevant qualifications and experience and
now runs her own complementary therapy practice
(www.rayoflight.me.uk).
‘It’s really amazing what you can do with the right
support,’ says Anna. ‘The last year has taught me that
you are never on your own, and that help is there if
you need it, regardless of your circumstances.
‘I feel completely different from how I did a couple
of years ago,’ she adds. ‘A lot of people want to start
a business and never get round to it – but you’ve got
to be a risk-taker to be an entrepreneur. I feel as if I
have developed as a person and I know myself much
better now. From feeling low in confidence and self-
esteem, people are now coming to me for advice.’
Vital support
Pathways To Work is an independent service for
people in receipt of incapacity-related benefits. It
provides impartial advice, training and support to
those out of work, to help and encourage them to
find employment in an area that they’re suited to.
While some clients are referred from their local
Jobcentre Plus, others come to Pathways directly.
Kate Goodman, National Pathways Director for A4e,
explains some of the difficulties that the Pathways
clients face.
‘Our customer group is still judged by many
because of the way they look, by the benefit they are
on or by the condition we label them with,’ she says.
‘I
implemented through senior civil servants in charge
don’t do handouts here,’ says Carolyn of procurement.
Kendrick, Business Manager for A4e ‘The reason I’m so excited about it is that it’s been
Doncaster. ‘What we do is teach our about 12 years since anything’s been done on TV
learners to support themselves and find on the welfare system, and so much has changed
their own way to the life they want.’ in the role of companies who are now actively
It’s this kind of philosophy on which A4e involved,’ he says. ‘I wanted to see how that would
Doncaster has based its skills courses that help get trickle down the departments, and also how the
the unemployed back into work or training. And the private sector get involved.
teaching of these courses is so good that it recently ‘The main thrust of the documentary is the
attracted a Channel 4 documentary team to the human angle – the emotional stories of people
Client Dawn Schofield gets
offices. The stars of the programme, all of whom a real taste for work.
who are trying to get back into the workplace,
were involved in Doncaster’s Elevate course, will either because they want to, or because they feel
appear on TV in the autumn. that there’s some sort of growing pressure due to
Elevate is an A4e course which helps lone parents the changes in welfare legislation to get working. I
get back to work. It starts off by building up the wanted to follow their journey.’
clients’ confidence and motivation, before working
on issues each client might have experienced in
the past – such as problems with interviews or
personal issues. Once the client feels ready and I was so nervous – once your words are recorded
has identified an area of work they’d like to go into,
work placements are arranged for seven weeks and on camera, you can’t go back and re-phrase them
the client is supported throughout. Hayley Taylor, elevate tutor
The hardworking
A4e team in
Doncaster.
O
We will need more public sector investment, but
ver the last six months, I have spent first let’s make what we have function brilliantly.
a fair amount of time with financiers To do so, we need to respond to the needs of
and people in the financial services Mark Lovell believes that working
our customers – individuals and business –
industry. It’s been an interesting time, with governments in the UK and quickly, and with the full spectrum of A4e
overseas will help A4e’s most
and it has reinforced some basic and simple truths vulnerable clients. and its partners’ services. Joined up front line
about running a good business. Importantly, it public services have never been more necessary.
has reiterated to me that one of A4e’s strengths By focusing our attention on making this happen
has been its prudent approach to ensuring robust and working collaboratively with governments
finances, even though we are such a high growth in the UK and overseas, we are able to support
business. All of this stands us in good stead for the our most vulnerable clients. This means we can
next two years. do our bit to limit
Core to what A4e does is supporting vulnerable the impact of global
people, their communities, businesses in those Over the last 18 months recession on the
communities and tackling poverty, economic economies where
development and social development. As the we have been clear that it is not we work. There is an
discussions in the media, in government and additional spend that is required, enormous amount of
business have turned to dealing with recession – pragmatic concern in
and the speed of its impact – I have continued to but greater flexibility to spend the labour markets
remain focused on those things that I can influence
and control, where we can contribute to easing the
existing funds more effectively and economies, but also much
impact of economic downturn and stimulate growth. Mark Lovell, A4e executive chairman more optimism and
During a recession, one of the challenges is that determination than
the poorest and most disadvantaged always get hit sometimes gets
the hardest. A4e’s role is to minimise and mitigate reported in the media.
against this. The economic impact of the current
situation is different to that which I experienced
when building A4e in the early 1990s, and what I
saw as I grew up in the 1980s. We now have a more
diverse economy, with greater resilience and a more
co-ordinated series of business and governmental
responses.
Equally, in this early stage, we see opportunities
for enterprise, job creation and skills development
(for skills shortages in business) still holding up.
This will get more difficult in the first half of next
year, but at the same time as rising unemployment
figures, we still have a very robust number of jobs
being created in the economy. We still have a large
number of stubborn, hard-to-fill vacancies as well. At
the entry level for jobs, we are holding up well, but
we know this will get harder next year.
In response to this, we are driving enhanced join
up and flexibility across all A4e’s services. The
Pre-Budget Report and the announcements before
Money talks Knowing how to manage Usually she’s well-received. ‘The feedback I’ve been
getting is that this had been a long time coming,’
money and stay out of debt she said.
‘It’s whetted the appetite of professionals to hone
is crucial to young people, Upskilling skills they’ve learned on this course. The FSA is keen
especially in the current young people for us to identify champions in local authorities and
other organisations so that, when A4e pulls out in
economic climate – and to understand 2010, the programme will stay alive.’
Prisoners are especially vulnerable to ignorance of
financial training is helping financial affairs personal finance – as Justin Coleman, Enrichment
youngsters do just that is key to Manager at HMP Ashfield, near Bristol, which houses
400 young offenders, is well aware. ‘They need this
helping to sort of education, particularly with the recession
M
anaging money is a key life skill, but break coming on,’ he says.
one that not all young people possess. Unfortunately, the time available in life skills
Now the Financial Services Authority poverty cycles classes proved too limited to offer financial education.
(FSA), in partnership with Citizen’s However, Coleman has been working with A4e since
Advice and youth charity Fairbridge, has created a
and ensure June 2008 to remedy matters. ‘We had a new group
programme to help young people not in education, social mobility of officers on the wing and felt the time was right to
employment or training become more financially start teaching them to pass on basic financial skills,’
capable. In an increasingly complex financial in the next he said.
landscape, this initiative is well overdue and A4e is at generation Following a visit by A4e to Ashfield’s training
the heart of training people to make it work. centre, the officers received training and resources
Stakeholder Engagement Manager Kerry Anne Mel Dodd, with financial information pitched at a level
A4e programme
Davies has travelled the country to encourage manager for Young
everyone could understand. ‘It went incredibly well,’
organisations to make a long-term commitment. People and Money said Coleman.
L
issues involved needn’t be, as help is at hand.
iving – or caring for someone – with a The Direct Payments service in Southwark is
disability can take a great deal of getting managed by A4e, which has a team in place to offer
used to, especially if the situation arises guidance and support to users. Isabelle Clement,
unexpectedly. Not only do extra support, Southwark Direct Payments Service Manager,
care and help need to be provided, but families also explains how the system works.
have to get used to unfamiliar people being around ‘Most of our clients would otherwise receive social
the home – something that many find uncomfortable. care from agency workers via the council list, but
And being in control of their own situation is they don’t get a great choice. The carers are often
critically important to disabled people. But what overworked and underpaid. Some are good, but they
many aren’t aware of is that they can actually choose rarely have time to do what the client wants – they’re
their own personal assistants or/carers – and often rushing from client to client.
employ them directly – through the Government’s ‘With Direct Payments, you can choose someone
Direct Payments scheme. local as your worker who may only have one client,
‘I care for my 13-year-old autistic son, Donald,’ for instance. Or you might choose a family member
says Mercy Miller from Southwark, London. ‘He’s or someone you know that would be better situated
been on Direct Payments for a year now. The carer’s to provide the support you need.’
agency weren’t listening to my needs at all – carers Another reason for enabling people to choose
just wouldn’t turn up, and the agency couldn’t their own carer is so that they can find someone
replace them. I was always getting left in the lurch who has knowledge of their language or culture,
and having to rush home from work. for example. For people who don’t speak English
‘Our social worker told me about Direct Payments, as their first language, it is very important that they
and it’s really changed my life. I decide how much I receive support from a worker with whom they can
pay the carer, and I set the hours so that she’s there, speak in their own tongue. This is crucial when you
waiting for me, when I get home from work. Life is are communicating about very intimate support
so much better managed now.’ tasks such as personal care for example.
‘The client might be from a particular African
Better flexibility country, and they might like to advertise for
Direct Payments gives users much more flexibility in someone through their faith group, for example, to
choosing the support that they need, and it works by increase the possibility of finding someone from the
same culture,’ says Clement. ‘Of course, you might case study: ‘You have to
get a British worker to learn a specific cooking style keep your staff happy’
or hair-braiding skills, but it would take time to train
Royston Lewis, from Southwark, is a
them, especially if they were only working with the
Direct Payment client
client for an hour a day.
‘It would be more cost-effective to employ someone ‘You have to be friends with carers, but you have got
from that particular culture, perhaps someone who to let them know who’s boss. It’s not easy being the
could go to the local African market and know what boss – I’ve learned the hard way. If something is not
to buy, or understand the client’s religious needs.’ right, I always call a meeting and allow people to
speak. It’s important not to talk down to people.
Green paper ‘You have to be honest and frank with your staff.
Stephen Ladyman, MP for South Thanet, is one of I had a couple of Muslim women who didn’t eat pork,
the champions of Direct Payments, and is currently so to ask them to cook a meal of that sort would
following the consultation on social care to prepare have interfered with their religion. You must respect
for the government’s green paper. that. Address these things at the interview stage and
‘I was the minister in the Department of Health be clear about the tasks from the start.
who championed Direct Payments when it was first ‘It’s important to get the best out of your staff, too.
being set up,’ he says. ‘A lot of people told me it I trained my staff for five years to NVQ Level 4. You
wouldn’t work, but I am delighted that it has. And have to have confidence in yourself, and know what
I want to make sure that the government is moving you want. I teach my carers that when they first come
forward on Direct Payments.’ into work, they must wash their hands. I also make sure
Ladyman was on hand at the recent service user that they change their clothes as soon as they come
group event at Southwark, where Direct Payment in – it cuts the risks of bringing germs into the house.
clients and carers got the opportunity to share their ‘When my wife was alive, I had six carers in the
views about the service. They were also able to gain house and I had to be fair to them all – you have
useful information about further training that might to keep your staff happy. On Valentine’s Day, for
instance, I would buy
a present for my
A lot of people told me Direct Payments wife, and then buy
all the women
wouldn’t work, but I am delighted that it has a bunch of
Stephen Ladyman, MP flowers, too!’
Keeping ahead
of the law
Getting free legal advice in
Hull might be easier than
people think, thanks to the
opening of a new centre in town with CAB to deliver first-rate services to the public.
Hull CLAC is a partnership between A4e and
social welfare lawyers Howells Solicitors. ‘They’re a
I
t’s still in its infancy and has yet to market unique bunch,’ says Bradley, the centre’s operations
itself in earnest, but already people in crisis manager. ‘They do this because they love the job
are beating a path to Hull’s Community Legal and helping people – you aren’t in it for the money.’
Advice Centre (CLAC). People arrive with myriad problems, but debt is
With the finances of so many in turmoil, demand often at the root. ‘The levels can be quite frightening
for its services can only increase. Hull’s CLAC is the – especially when you find out how much credit
country’s fifth, the fruit of a drive by the city council they’ve been given in relation to their income,’
and Legal Services Commission (LSC) to bring legal said Bradley.
advice services under one roof.
Disquiet among those who fear for the future
of their Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is well-
documented. But A4e’s Alison Bradley, who was
It’s amazing how you can turn someone’s
asked to set up Hull’s CLAC after A4e’s successful life around with the correct information and
tender, says there’s no intention of putting CAB out of
business, even though the CLAC has taken over many put them in control, rather than the creditor
of its functions. A4e is keen to work in partnership Alan Usher, supervisor, Hull clac debt team
I
size of our current labour market. Unemployment won’t
f January isn’t typically a bleak enough time simply exist because people don’t have the right skills,
of year, this month will be even bleaker as we experience or attitude; in many instances it will be
see the publication of new economic data that because there aren’t enough jobs to go round. Accept
will undoubtedly show the UK to officially be this and there are a number of implications for policy,
in recession. As the newspapers continue to splash but I will highlight just two.
recession headlines, such news will be academic to Firstly, it makes ever stronger the case that strategies
those who have already lost their jobs, and sobering for employment, skills and economic development
to those returning to work. Consequently, forecasts for must be integrated in a way that recognises their
the peak of what unemployment might reach continue interdependencies. Too often in the past these have
to rise with the symbolic three million figure moving been pursued in isolation. However, there can only be
rapidly from ‘possible’ to ‘probable’ in early 2010. employment if there is economic activity, and economic
Rightly, the majority of energy is being directed activity is, in part, a function of the skills available to a
towards seeking to restore confidence in markets and given labour market. Making this happen will require
to provide assistance to those who lose their jobs. What genuine inter-agency working at a sub-regional level.
I’d like to offer, however, is an observation that comes This will need to be outcome-driven and have sufficient
from accepting that we are in recession and that the flexibility to bespoke nationally-set procedures to meet
only certainty is uncertainty and to ask – what were you local needs.
doing 17 years ago? Secondly, those who have been the hardest to engage
The early 1990s was the last UK recession, and as I in returning to work will sink even further back as
was still in full-time education, I can offer no practical any new employment
advice on what types of initiatives worked best. I can, opportunities will
however, make the observation that for the last 10 Unemployment won’t simply overwhelmingly go
years, at least employment and skills policies in the to those who have
UK have all been built upon the presumption of ‘no exist because people don’t have been made recently
more boom and bust’ and of near infinite expansion
of employment.
the right skills, experience or unemployed. A
meaningless statistic of
On the back of falling unemployment since the early attitude; it will be because there ‘average time out of work’
1990s, and distinctly from 1997, we have collectively will emerge, concealing
aren’t enough jobs to go round two distinct patterns
MICHAEL DAVIS, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CFE of those who return
quickly and those who
stay out of work for longer and longer periods. In both
instances, personalised approaches are required which
provide bespoke support to get people back into work.
This will need to provide not only the skills required
to re-enter the job market, but also a genuine appetite
for progression and personal learning thereafter;
recognising that economic certainty will be absent for
several years to come.
What both policy implications have in common
is the need for national frameworks that provide for
accountability and transparency of performance. But
most importantly, in delivery terms, there is a need for
genuine local flexibility that is outcome focused around
achieving the most important goals of employment:
personal progression and economic productivity.
Getting it together
Down Under
T
Setting up an operation abroad can he change of government has presented a
rich opportunity for A4e in Australia. The
often be a challenge but, with so many Labour government, when it took power
in late 2007, placed social inclusion high
similarities with the employment market on its agenda, and A4e’s international expertise
in the UK, A4e Australia is already well in supporting governments by addressing social
exclusion issues has enabled the company to act
on its way to success swiftly to establish a presence in Australia.
Waiting game
So there’s plenty for A4e to get its teeth into and
things have been busy for the team since setting up.
A4e has bid for contracts that are part of Australia’s
new Employment Services, due to commence in
July 2009. To date, the Australian team is working
in preparation for the contract announcement,
anticipated in March 2009.
The Australian Employment Services model
is similar to the UK model, which A4e has been
delivering successfully for many years. Having
tendered for contracts across a broad range of
communities, A4e is confident that it has the track
record to respond to the government’s agenda.
There will also be other avenues to explore in
Australia, including State and Federal Government A lot of work has gone into the local team includes Megan Williams and Kieren
building partnerships and
programmes. developing brand awareness Kearney – New South Wales and Victoria State
A4e Australia CEO, Shula Kentwell, leads a highly- at A4e Australia. Project Managers, respectively. Collectively, Williams
experienced team of four. With more than 25 years’ and Kearney offer more than 15 years of industry,
experience in high-level management positions, operational and management experience. Finally,
Kentwell has experience in public, private and Aaron Simpson, a registered psychologist, provides
not-for-profit organisations. She sits on a number vast clinical experience across vocational and non-
of industry and community boards, and is highly vocational human services.
revered within the Employment Services sector. To date, ‘a lot of our work has gone into building
Kentwell’s leadership is complemented by Mike partnerships and developing brand awareness,’
Gordon, Executive Chairperson, Australia, while says Kentwell. ‘There was some misunderstanding
around the foreign entities coming into Australia,
and uncertainty about what they could bring to the
With the arrival of the Rudd government, market. Roy and Steve have done a wonderful job
there was an appetite for change – it building A4e’s reputation here.’
When Roy Newey first visited Australia in 2007,
wanted to deliver more for people he was struck by the country’s strong sense of
historic inequality and injustice as he joined a
further from the labour market march in Sydney to mark National Sorry Day. He
Steve Marsland, A4e Executive director witnessed ‘a common trauma that needed healing’.
In the suburbs
Giving youngsters new opportunities to train and find jobs
is the aim of a new programme in the French suburbs
I
t’s easy to forget that, while the UK is busy We need Maximilien Dorostian is director of operations for
suffering a recession and counting the cost of A4e France, and is happy that things are evolving
lost jobs, wallets are being squeezed elsewhere to hack down in the way of rights and responsibilities in France.
in the world. the barriers ‘It’s true that France is a country with a lot of social
In France, the financial situation due to the credit combat, and we believe that we have rights which
crunch has affected the economy badly – figures that people we have earned – but because the social system is
show that, during 2008, unemployment was on the continually evolving, we also need to focus on our
rise – standing at 7.9 per cent in September 2008.
are facing, and responsibilities,’ he said.
And while most would prefer to be in work, the show those ‘In this way, the new government is working
incentives for the unemployed to find jobs are not hard in order to get the balance right in terms of
necessarily the same as in the UK. from minority responsibilities towards unemployed people, as well
For instance, the benefits system in France backgrounds as those in employment. The main target here is to
entitles the unemployed to part of their previous encourage people to undertake an active search to
salary for between six months and 23 months, that they have find jobs – and not just to wait until they have used
depending on the period of time that they’d been in
their job. In the UK, a statutory rate of Jobseeker’s
a place in up their benefit allocation.’
7
advice over the telephone
more people who, because they aren’t in work, are means that the outcomes are Can legal aid be used for various
likely to be better for them.
seeking benefits. When we started out, those issues kinds of legal action?
weren’t as acute as they are now. Yes. It applies to actions against the police,
clinical negligence, community care, consumer
cases, family law, mental health, some personal
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