Projects

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This project will provide an integrated programme of pre-employment support for the long-term unemployed on a Pan-London level, those facing multiple labour market disadvantage, including the homeless and those at risk of homelessness, black and minority ethnic (BME) groups, refugees, ex-offenders and substance misusers.

It will focus on three FRESA (Framework for Regional Skills and Employment Action) priority sectors where specific skills needs and shortages have been identified across London: construction, hospitality and Information Communication and Technology (ICT). The delivery of the project will take place on a Pan-London basis and will offer ‘passport-to-entry’ accredited basic skills and industry recognised employability awards within an integrated package of learner support and mentoring.

The project aims to remove external barriers to labour market entry as the unemployed and economically inactive have been identified as a potentially important source of labour within London’s economy. This will enable beneficiaries to enter sector-specific employment or progress to further learning. For instance, beneficiaries will be able to take advantage from training and employment opportunities at key capital development sites including King’s Cross/St. Pancras, Thames Gateway and the Heathrow corridor.

‘Ready for Skills and Jobs’ will also pilot a number of pre-entry qualifications frameworks for the construction and hospitality industries in consultation with employers and with the endorsement of CITB-ConstructionSkills and People 1st Sector Skills Councils.

‘Ready for Skills and Jobs’ is being led by Off the Streets and into Work (OSW), a voluntary organisation with expertise in dealing with people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. OSW works through a partnership and acts as the co-ordinating body for a number of lead agencies that oversee delivery at sub-regional level: Connection at St Martin’s, Depaul Trust, St Mungo’s Association andThames Reach Bondway. This approach will help ensure pan-London coverage for the project as well as the involvement of relevant local bodies at the ground level. Other partners in the project include the London Open College Network (LOCN), John Laing Training and the Hotel and Catering Training Company.

Beyond its ‘hub and spoke’ partnership structure, OSW has also been trying to develop good practice through its Partnership Level Agreements which include Monitoring and Quality Assurance Packs covering a wide range of issues such as standards for financial and performance monitoring, evidence requirements and quality, equal opportunities and health and safety.

All partners have signed up to the principles of OSW’s Equal Opportunities Strategy. An action plan for Equalities and Diversity is being implemented across all the partnership through an Equalities working group. This process includes ongoing review of partners’ equalities policies and the practical implementation of good practice. OSW has also developed an Equality and Diversity handbook of good practice available on the organisation's Web site.

In addition this project, OSW is managing a number of other projects funded by the LSC as well as other funding streams, including a research report where homeless beneficiaries are trained as frontline researchers to find out about the needs of fellow service users. This project allows OSW to further develop its knowledge base and design programmes which meet the real needs of the homeless.

Project delivery

The project will be delivered between January 2005 and December 2006 and planned outputs and outcomes include:

• 700 beneficiaries starting training under the Programme, around 600 of which will be homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• 50 NVQ Level 1 or 2 (or equivalent) delivered.
• 185 accredited English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) or Basic Skills training completed.
• 300 industry sector-specific employability awards delivered such as the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), Computer Literacy and IT (CLAIT), Foundation Food Hygiene, Foundation Construction Award, Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS Health and Safety), andFirst Aid qualifications.
• 75 beneficiaries going through mentoring programme.
• 30 beneficiaries taking up employment on leaving the programme.
• 40 beneficiaries to progress towards employment through learning routeways or job brokerage facilities made available.
• Development of pre-entry qualification frameworks for construction and hospitality sectors.

ESF Matters: Making a difference to people’s lives

The project’s beneficiaries

The project primarily targets homeless people and those at risk of homelessness, many of whom are refugees, ex-offenders, from BME groups, or substance misusers.

It aims to help break down the barriers for these groups facing multiple labour market disadvantage by providing access to key and basic skills focused on three employment sectors. Through a learning cycle, ‘Ready for Skills and Jobs’ combines improved motivation, confidence and personal effectiveness with industry-linked basic skills and Vocational Qualifications within a programme tailored to each beneficiary’s needs.

Through an ‘Individual Progression System’ each beneficiary receives a holistic special needs assessment, which looks at a range of issues including physical and mental health, use of drugs and alcohol, housing, benefits and other. In this way, specific barriers faced by a beneficiary can be identified and referral to appropriate support services can be provided. Moreover, the involvement of beneficiaries in the development of their own action plans allows them to feel empowered.

Support is tailored to the special needs identified during the assessment and includes childcare, travel expenses, access to translation facilities and purchase of training material. A learning mentor is also available if appropriate. All beneficiaries benefit from ongoing career advice and guidance available through the OSW network.

Beneficiaries' stories

Natnael

Natnael is a 27-year-old Ethiopian man who arrived in England as a refugee over a year ago. His main language is Amharic and could only speak a little English. He was very scared when he first arrived here, as it was the first time he had left his homeland. He slept rough for short while until he found a place in one of St Mungo’s hostels and was then referred to Oaklands.

Natnael was referred to the Adult Literacy Team as an ESOL student because he wanted to be able to “communicate with people and get work.” Natnael’s English, both written and oral, has improved to such an extent that he was referred to the City of Westminster College and started English classes on 22 February 2005.

The Literacy Team referred Natnael to Bridge Training Centre for help and support in IT skills and Job Search. He is a regular visitor to the Centre and made full use of the services and one-to-one support. Natnael’s IT skills improved and in May of this year he was assessed and registered for one of our European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) courses. He has already passed modules one and seven and has almost completed module two which will give him an NVQ Level 1 in IT, his first ever qualification. He is determined to get his full ECDL.

Other beneficiaries

Quotes from other beneficiaries show how 'Ready for Skills and Jobs' has been well-received and is making an impact on people currently excluded from the labour market:

“The programme is so different to others that I've tried. It's really flexible, there's lots of choice.”

“I didn't have much of an idea about what I wanted to do, but Ready for Skills and Jobs has helped me to work that out—it feels like I've got some direction, some purpose now”

“I’m so excited. I really want to work in the hospitality industry, but I didn’t know how to go about it. Now I’ve got a way of doing it.”

Funding

The project has been granted £1,399,018 of European Social Funding under Objective Three (Specification 1.2a). The funding has come through the Pan-London co-financing round which is managed by ECOTEC Research & Consulting on behalf of the five Learning and Skills Council in London.

Further information

For further information about European Social Funding and the LSC Pan-London ESF Objective 3 Programme, please visit:

• www.esf.gov.uk
• www.lsc.gov.uk

To find out more about the LSC Pan-London ESF O3 Programme, please contact the LONDON O3 Team within ECOTEC (020 7089 1976;

To contact Kate Bowtell or Harmit Kambo at Off the Street into Work about ‘Ready for Skills and Jobs’ please phone 020 7089 2722 or e-mail / . Further information about OSW is available on the OSW Web site.

Learning and Skills Council

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is responsible for funding and planning education and training for over 16-year-olds in England (excluding higher education). For any media enquiries about the LSC please contact Vicky Taylor on 020 7904 0789 or .