Background to the Working Communities Programme
What is it?
A priority focus in the Council's Corporate Plan is "To improve employment opportunities and incomes for local citizens by increasing the employability of the local workforce", and the Council has now agreed the development of a Working Communities Strategy. This has five key themes:
- Employment - reduce un/under employment in communities by delivering local Working Communities programmes;
- Procurement - achieve community benefits by engaging actively with suppliers and contractors;
- Construction - maximise employment opportunities for local people in the construction industry;
- Skills - work in partnership with businesses, schools and colleges to raise the levels of relevant skills to meet the needs of individuals and organisations;
- Projects - actively support relevant community based projects to achieve their objectives.
Holmewood Pilot
Working in partnership with agencies such as Jobcentre Plus, the Learning and Skills Council, Connexions and Groundwork Creswell, we are planning a Working Communities pilot programme for Holmewood. It is planned to establish a team that will provide:
- One-to-one free and confidential support and advice to help people find employment;
- The development of a Personal Development Plan;
- Help to increase a beneficiary's employability, through providing the funds to access the right training courses;
- Help with other career skills, such as word processing a CV and application letters, completing an application form and interview techniques;
- Funds to cover travel costs, childcare costs and other expenses associated with gaining employment;
- Advice on how employment will affect benefits, as well as family tax credits.
A Business Group has also beeen set up, which includes Employee Engagement Officers from our partner organisations (particularly Jobcentre Plus and Connexions) as well as representatives from businesses in Holmewood, who work together to ensure that the skills and workforce needs of the local businesses are met.
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