Worklessness Agenda in Walsall
What is Worklessness?
There is no official definition of 'Worklessness'. The simplest and most literal definition of worklessness is "all those of working age who are not employed". This includes people who are seeking work as well as those who are not. Working age population is defined by Governement as Men aged 16-64 and Women aged 16-59.
Delivering the Worklessness agenda in Walsall -Presentation
Worklessness Steering Group Terms of Reference December 2009
West Midlands councils are helping people back into work. But they could do more, says watchdog. The numbers being reached are small in comparison to the size of the problem and the situation is worsening in the recession, according to an independent report released in October 2009 by the Audit Commission:
Regeneration Worklessness, West Midlands Metropolitan Councils - October 2009
City Region of Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country - Multi Area Agreement (MAA), June 2009
Walsall's Neighbourhood Employment and Skills Plans (NESPs) are intended to drive partner action to improve employment and skills in the most disadvantaged wards. It profiles the population in the target ward, including information on benefit recipients and employment barriers, reviews service provision and identifies action needed to achieve 'closing the gap' targets.
JSA Register Black Country June 2010
Latest Walsall Worklessness Briefing May 2010
Nomis Labour Market Proifile - Walsall July 2010
Changes in Unemploment July 2010
Labour Market Bulletin Black Country June 2010
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Just started work? Thinking of starting work? Want to know how it will affect your benefits? Need advice on 'in work' benefits like housing benefit, council tax benefit, working tax credit, child tax credit and free school meals? A new out-of-hours telephone service is here to help if you are thinking of starting work or have just started work. Benefits Service 'in work' Advice Line 0800 923 3708 Mondays 5pm - 7pm, Saturdays 9.00am - 11am
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Useful Information from Jobcentre Plus:
Online Benefits Advisor Service:
The online Benefits Adviser Service is expected to achieve one million visitors since its launch. The service, available on Directgov, was launched in April 2008 to provide individuals with advice on which benefits, pensions and credits they may be eligible for. It has recently been enhanced to allow customers to get an estimate of the amount of benefit they may be entitled to, and they can enter potential new personal circumstances to see if they can still receive a number of benefits if they start work or increase their hours of work. For more information on this service click on the Benefits Adviser internet site, which is contained within the directgov website www.direct.gov.uk
In Work Benefits - February 2010
Young Person's Guarantee - New additional help for 18 to 24 year olds guarantees young people a job, training or work experience opportunity.
Help Available from Day one to JSA Customers - July 2009
Changing Times - Reform of the Welfare System 08-09 - Timeline
Jobcentre Plus West Mids Business Plan 2010
Recent JCP Updates 2009-10:
JSA Figures West Midlands - March 2010
JSA Figures Black Country - March 2010
Labour Market Bulletin Black Country District - March 2010
State of the Region Black Country February 2010
JSA Register - Black Country January 2010
JSA Register by CAS Ward- Black Country January 2010
Changes in Unemployment December 2009
Key Facts Summary Black Country November 2009
Lone Parent Obligations Update
Some recent Government publications:
No One Written Off: Reforming Welfare to Reward Responsibility - July 2008
Work Skills, Unlocking Talent - June 2008;
Opportunity, Employment and Progression: making skills work - November 2007;
In Work, Better Off: next steps to full employment - June 2007;
Towards Skills for Jobs: 'What Works in Tackling Worklessness? - May 2007
Walsall Council - Employment and Skills Initiatives:
City Strategy and Deprived Area Fund (DAF)
Focusing activity to improve the economic well being and capacity of the City Region incorporating Birmingham, Black Country, Coventry, Solihull, Telford and Wrekin. Within the City Region, 55 priority wards (6 in Walsall) have been identified and Neighbourhood Employment and Skills Plans have been developed (see above). The NESPs highlight demographics, gaps in service provision and needs for the areas. In Dec 2007, LSC tendered contracts for deliver of delivery of client outreach and client interventions (training, mentoring, work placements etc) in each of these wards. The DAF funded programme runs until March 2009.
A national pledge aimed at finding job opportunities for local people. The deliver of this pledge is through the Local Employer Partnership initiatives who work with signed up employers to make sure that people at a disadvantage in the jobs market move into job opportunities. They include long term unemployed, lone parents and people with disability or health condition. The aim is that the government gets disadvantaged people ready for work and the employer with vacancies gives them a fair shot at the job.
A national scheme led by Jobcentre Plus. A formal agreement to deliver on the Job Pledge. LEPs are individual partnerships, based on a bespoke agreement that supports the employer’s existing approach to recruitment and retention and is intended to provide candidates that are job-ready. JCP advocate LEPs as a key driver to tackle worklessness by offering positive action to the long term unemployed. JCP will offer support with interviews, mentoring, training or work trials – and help you get local candidates with the right attitude, pre-trained with the basic skills for the job. Walsall Council was the first local authority in the Black Country to formally sign up to become a Local Employment Partnership.
A national scheme for public sector organisations to attract and encourage good quality staff to consider the public sector as a preferred employment choice. Its purpose is to bring together employers from across the Public Service sector in order to form a collaborative approach to the key issues of workforce improvement, recruitment, retention and career development. This is further endorsed through a range of national support initiatives as outlined below.
- Apprenticeships
- Train to Gain
- Local Employer Partnerships (Jobs Pledge)
A national pledge and is a voluntary, public commitment made by the leadership of a company or organisation to invest in the skills of all its employees and support them to develop and improve their basic skills. This includes basic literacy and numeracy, and work towards relevant, valuable qualifications to at least Level 2 (5 GSCEs at A-C grade or equivalent) and a commitment to continuous training. The purpose is to ensure that all staff are skilled, competent and able to make a full contribution to the success of the company/organisation.
As part of Walsall Council's ongoing commitment to support disadvantaged communities and workless residents to secure employment either with the authority or with our partner organisations, there are planned a series of events promoting the local authority as an employer and current job vacancies.
The events also promote the range of services available from our local partner organisations and where appropriate engage with other public sector employers and local private employers to advertise their forthcoming job vacancies.
The aim of the events is to promote employment opportunities, the skills and personal qualities required for these jobs and the range of support available locally to assist local people.
The events take place from 10am - 4pm and anyone is welcome to come along and find out about what opportunities are available to them.
Future Events will be held on:
- Wednesday 21 July 2010, Palfrey Community Association, Milton St., Palfrey
For more information on the Worklessness agenda and ongoing activity in Walsall, contact:
Walsall Council Economic Regeneration Team;
01922-652587
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