The Total Employability Place Sussex Downs College

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1 LSIS Flexibility and Innovation Fund The Total Employability Place Sussex Downs College Project synopsis Originally branded as the Total Employability Place and launched as Eastbourne Works, this project has focused on supporting job seekers. Situated in a central, town-centre location Eastbourne Works has provided a one-stop-shop service including impartial Next Step advice sessions, 1-1 CV and job search mentoring and work markets. Recognising that employer engagement is key, the project has sought to find innovative means of involving local employers including a week of work markets branded as the Big Week of Work. Project aims The original aims of the project were: 1) To create an integrated service that acts as an incubator for Level 2 job seekers, offering intensive support to equip them with the employability skills required to take up a Level 3 Apprenticeship opportunity 2) To trial the benefits to the user of an integrated, one stop shop approach to employability services and skills delivered outside of the traditional FE environment 3) To identify efficiencies that can be achieved through collaborative working and sharing services including the sharing of data and the creation of one central application form 4) To strengthen local partnership working to preserve services in times of reductions in funding 5) To improve outcomes for users (to specifically include job outcomes, voluntary work and skills updating) 6) To broker new ways of working with employers to support the recruitment of Level 3 Apprentices and to secure private sector leverage 7) To engender different ways of delivering services for unemployed people (building on the aspirations of the Government s Get Britain Working campaign.) The project was believed to innovative due to its: Task force approach uniquely bringing together an FE College, Job Centre Plus, Eastbourne Borough Council, 3VA, CAB and critically local employers. Aim to offer services in one place, with partners working side by side It s ability to trial the concept of an employability journey (as opposed to the traditional learner journey ) Its Private sector leverage, working innovatively with private sector employers e.g. Mayo Wynn Baxter a local Sussex firm of solicitors. Appointment of a dedicated post Distinctive branding Active feedback and review by service users

2 Project Delivery Innovation A steering group (the task force ) with agreed terms of reference, was set up in the first instance to support the original concept and to effectively bring the product to market A dedicated fixed term post was recruited to run the one-stop-shop and his enthusiasm and innovation soon became apparent, through his suggestions the shop was christened Eastbourne Works providing a clear message about employability External funding was sourced from Mayo Wynn Baxter to offset the cost of CAB sessions Work markets were delivered from the shop and the shop has been booked by employers for recruitment days, pre-screening and job interviews The Big Week of Work was organised by Eastbourne Works in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Council and its Activating Eastbourne members. The event was attended by 325 job seekers and 17 employers. A week-long event it included inspirational speakers, work markets and CV workshops and has to date resulted in 11 job outcomes Job CentrePlus has committed a 0.6 post to Eastbourne Works, the adviser is located at Eastbourne Works which encourages job seekers to tap into the service Service users have often become volunteers at Eastbourne Works and this voluntary work has led to sustainable jobs and Apprenticeship opportunities Lessons Learned Location is key despite the rental costs being slightly more expensive, we have realised the importance of a town centre location. Situated just off the main shopping centre footfall for Eastbourne Works has exceeded our expectations. Location is key despite the rental costs being slightly more expensive, we have realised the importance of a town centre location. Situated just off the main shopping centre footfall for Eastbourne Works has exceeded our expectations. Strategic positioning within the College is important we found that the Eastbourne Works service had synergies with a number of teams across the College. Whilst it remained in the Development & Projects team there was equally an argument that it could have been situated in the Employer Engagement team. The College is currently reviewing the continuity and sustainability of the service and the best strategic fit. Systems and processes whilst recognising the need for this service the actual extent of the demand was a surprise and as such systems and processes need to be able to cope with the volumes of service users. Integrating systems with core College processes is also key, from collecting the right kind of data through to a seamless system for tracking. Currently existing college systems e.g. Client Management Systems have been adapted to collect data and track clients. Recognising this is a fix rather than a pure solution in terms of doing things differently next time we would like to use a dedicated and ideally bespoke Client Management System. Whilst a number of stakeholders were part of the initial stages of the project there was insufficient demand for some of their services. Despite building a dedicated, private room for CAB interviews and securing private sector funding for the delivery of this service, customers at Eastbourne Works did not articulate a demand for CAB interventions. Sustaining a service of this kind is imperative and for FE Colleges that means aligning the service to core funding streams. Whilst we are now offering ALR funded Work Skills qualifications at Eastbourne Works we are doing this in the one, central ICT space. Ideally, an additional, separate training suite would add value and offer opportunities for funded training.

3 Project Outcomes Results Target Actual % Engage with jobseekers % 645 recorded individuals engaged with the Eastbourne Works service. 523 of these were seeking work. Around 400 additional drop-in customers used the service briefly but individual records were not captured. 34% of customers were referred from Jobcentre Plus and 51% were passing by customers. One-to-one sessions with adviser % Sustainable employment % The most effective method of achieving job outcomes was by working with both employers and jobseekers and facilitating the recruitment process. Volunteering % CV and Interview workshops % These were delivered on a one-to-one basis. 283 CVs have been written and 89 interview skills sessions delivered. Mind Set assessments % We were advised not to use the Mind Set program by the Skills for Life team. We instead used the BSA paper version. 73 of these were undertaken. Referrals to Skills for Life Training 33 Direct recorded referrals total 33. Many more may have taken flyers or the contact details from the flyer in the window which has been a mainstay since we opened and attracted many passers-by who can be seen to stop and take down the number.

4 Benefit and housing advice delivered (hours) % We agreed to refer people to outside services to uphold a work-focus to the support available. Work Market events % One event held in Eastbourne Works followed by five large Work Markets at the Big Week of Work. Next Step IAG % Next step adviser was only available half-day per week at Eastbourne Works which enabled a maximum of 128 sessions to be booked. There is also a significant Fail to attend rate for all appointments at Eastbourne Works to factor in. Engage with employers % Most engagement achieved through events with a small number of direct contacts for specific purposes. Facilitate apprenticeship positions % Due to the unanticipated footfall, the co-ordinator was able to spend limited time working away from the shop in order to facilitate more Apprenticeship opportunities with employers. JCP adviser days % JCP adviser in Eastbourne Works 3 days per week giving advice to year olds. Impact on service users (quotes from Eastbourne Works customers): The staff at Eastbourne Works were very approachable, encouraging and helpful with their advice. Their help regarding CV writing techniques was also excellent. I was happy that the facility was available as I don't have a computer at home. Just for the fact of going somewhere and doing something about my situation made a lot of difference to morale. The staff were always helpful and offered good advice, so I hope it keeps going for other people and would like to say thanks. I only called in with reference to computer help in which Eastbourne works were very good, I did end up with an interview, only to lose out on the fact that the other person had a current First Aid Certificate An essential ingredient of Eastbourne Works is Dave Hinton. Having just arrived back in England after 17 years away it was a case of 'Rabbit caught in headlights!' Dave's friendly approach and eagerness to help has been crucial to me finding my feet. Customers were asked what they found most helpful about Eastbourne Works, responses included: The Big Week of Work - got me working hard in finding productive ways in identifying opportunities. Big thanks to David H. and team for keeping the doors open for me. Pointed me in the right direction for voluntary work The help with interview questions, advice on application forms, why application forms were not succeeding Vast knowledge of all available opportunities in the area. Chance to meet employers face-toface The advice I was given regarding which course would suit me for future employment. Also help with writing my CV.

5 Impact on partners Job Centre Plus: Pauline Skilton, Senior Business Manager for Eastbourne JCP acknowledges the positive work being delivered from Eastbourne Works, and to show Jobcentre Plus commitment to working in local partnerships has committed the resource of a personal adviser, Dermot Clarke, to work from their premises. Dermot is supporting all customers looking at training, education, apprenticeships or returning to work but his key focus is helping year olds. We would also like to acknowledge the key role Dave Hinton plays as an ambassador of Eastbourne Works, his enthusiasm and dedication has encouraged unemployed customers to use Eastbourne Works as a Work Club where people can meet and receive various support ranging from sharing their skills, accessing computers for Jobsearch and help to complete application forms. Local MP I think Eastbourne Works is a really innovative and practical way of helping people in Eastbourne and the surrounding area back into employment. It is partnership working at its best with the Council, Job Centre Plus, Sussex Downs College and local employers. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Stephen Lloyd MP for Eastbourne and Willingdon House of Commons London SW1A 0AA Eastbourne Borough Council Eastbourne Works is a key partner of Activating Eastbourne that fully engages and embraces the shared agenda to reduce unemployment in Eastbourne through partnership working. Their friendly open door policy means that partners are confident that signposted mutual clients will be supported as well Eastbourne s Works being a key source in signposting its own clients to other providers. Eastbourne s Big Week of Work was a high profile example where Eastbourne Work s demonstrated commitment and success in supporting individuals into work and partnership working. The Coordinator of Eastbourne Work s came up with the innovative idea but embraced the involvement and ideas of other local support organisations to make it a shared initiative between Sussex Downs College and Activating Eastbourne. Kerry Band Economic Development Officer Sustainability The College is committed to sustaining the Eastbourne Works service. We are currently discussing a possible move from our current location to a building owned by Eastbourne Borough Council. This would allow for more collaborative working and a reduction in overheads. The College is currently reviewing its current structure and the strategic positioning of Eastbourne Works is being debated and considered. Closer working with the Employer Engagement team is essential in order to facilitate Apprenticeship and jobs with training opportunities. Further alignment to the College Job Shop and new services within Job Shop such as Job Shop People is also planned.

6 The College has recently embarked on a new DWP ESF funded project aimed at engaging workless families. Coaching and mentoring for families will operate from Eastbourne Works, providing a central hub for managing employability and skills outcomes. Sharing Project Findings Colleagues from the FE sector are welcome to visit the shop and to discuss key findings with our co-ordinator (David Hinton, david.hinton@sussexdowns.ac.uk)

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