Written evidence submitted
by Social Enterprise Solutions (UK) CIC
SUMMARY
This is evidence from Social Enterprise Solutions
(UK) CIC for the Work and Pensions Committee Inquiry into Youth
Unemployment and the Future Jobs Fund. We have answered
the first three points of the four that were asked in the remit.
We have taken the factual evidence from a survey we made of the
Host companies who employed the FJF candidates. We believe the
Future Jobs Fund has been an effective programme enriching the
lives of the unemployed and the community as a whole.
1. The extent to which the FJF has succeeded
in matching new work experience opportunities to young unemployed
people
- (a) Social Enterprise Solutions (UK) CIC
was asked to deliver 150 FJF Jobs in the Third Sector as part
of the 3sc contract. We finally delivered 152 jobs which covered
the whole of the North West of England. We had 43 Host companies
who created vacancies varying from General Office work to Sound
Technicians and Graphic Design.
2. Strengths and weaknesses of the FJF programme
from the perspective of providers (including in the third sector),
employers and young unemployed people, and particularly in relation
to the long-term sustainability of employment opportunities
- (a) We surveyed our 43 Host Companies and
20 of them would be retaining 29 posts/FJF employees after the
six month initial funding. All the other companies would have
liked to retain their new FJF employees but did not have the funding
to do so.
- (b) Our survey showed that the Host companies
felt the benefits to their organisations were wide ranging.
- (c) Their comments were as follows:
Additional support and good to have young member
of staff.
Being at entry level, able to easily train to
our methods.
Increased capacity: - More effective services;
Development; Research; Freed up management time; Reception cover.
Technicians able to repair more; equipment for
disabled; deal with more enquiries; Provide more capacity for
launching Hospice Lottery.
Created a new project for young people run by
FJF employees.
Enjoyable and worthwhile assisting development
of FJF employees.
More reliable than volunteers.
Bringing and developing new creative ideas and
technical skills.
Opportunity to find out if they fit in before
becoming permanent.
Creating new posts that would not otherwise exist.
Improved maintenance level of building.
Identifying Tender Opportunities.
Reviewing and Updating systems.
Could provide support and understanding to FJF
employee who is a carer.
- (d) The benefits to the FJF Employees themselves
were as follows:
Building Confidence, Self Esteem and Sense of
Purpose.
Support to gain further employment.
Diverse areas of working, which could be challenging
and provided more choice.
Experiencing a professional environment and team
work; work ethic equals becoming "work ready"
Training including:- NVQ; First Aid; Community;
Leadership; Health & Safety; PETALS;
Learning Disabilities; Portable Appliance Testing
Certificate.
Developing and sharing new skills including IT;
Project Development; Communication; Sales & Marketing.
Positive impact on family life; stability.
Using own initiative.
Dealing with the public/community.
Dealing with the elderly. Learning there are similarities
between old and young.
Working with disabled.
Work experience in the Third Sector; Learning
about Community Services and an Art Organisation which has a unique
environment and experience in the radio profession.
Committed to six months giving them a better chance
to learn about opportunities available.
Understanding Confidentiality.
- (e) We found that the employees were in a
much stronger position to find employment at the end of the Future
Jobs Fund programme because of their new skills, renewed confidence
and employment record gain.
3. The likely impact of the decision to end the
FJF in March 2011 rather than March 2012
- (a) It has just been announced (August 2010)
that "the proportion of 18-24-year-olds in England who are
not in school, college or work has fallen. In total, 16.3% were
classed as Neet - not in education, employment or training - in
the second quarter of this year. This is down from 17.6% in the
same quarter of last year. A total of 776,000 18-24-year-olds
were classed as Neet in the first quarter of 2010, down from 831,000
last year." Could this be partly the responsibility of the
FJF programme? If so the decision to end the programme early may
not have been a good one.
- (b) We know that it took months of intensive
activity to engage social enterprises with FJF, and to persuade
Job Centre Plus that the programme was not just for low achievers.
Because of its evident success, momentum was built. Businesses
wanted more FJF employees, new businesses wanted to join the scheme,
and more unemployed young people wanted to benefit from it. The
momentum is now lost, leaving frustration that nothing has yet
taken its place. Universities plan lower intakes this year, leaving
many young people in need of a FJF style scheme.
4. How the transition from FJF to the Work Programme
will be managed, including the part to be played by the Government's
proposal to fund new apprenticeships.
- (a) We presume this will be answered by DWP
20 August 2010
| 
