Working Capital The magazine for Edinburgh’s Strategic Skills Pipeline
Community Benefits in Action A look at Community Benefits in operation in Edinburgh
Get On Gateway An update on developments from the Get On Gateway Issue 12 November 2014
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INTRODUCTION
Contents News: Updates from around the network Strategy: Get On Gateway, Welfare Reform and LEP event Joined Up For Jobs: The latest from JUFJ including the new sub groups Key Feature: Community Benefits in Action Developments: Sparks@The Yard and Joined Up For Business Funding: The Challenge Fund, Street League and Edinburgh Jobs Fund ESF Update: An Update from the ESF Programme Management Office Charting Progress: Edinburgh by Numbers Talking Point: A Vision for the Future Find out more: A round up of the latest events and recent research Toolkit: The latest products and tools
Editorial Group This magazine is edited and published by the Economic Development Service, the City of Edinburgh Council, and is supported by the following editorial group, representing the key partners in Edinburgh’s Jobs Strategy: Katie Weavers: Editor, The City of Edinburgh Council www.edinburgh.gov.uk Vicki Lorimer: Assistant Editor, The City of Edinburgh Council www.edinburgh.gov.uk Paige Evans: Editorial Assistant, City of Edinburgh Council www.edinburgh.gov.uk Carena Brogan: Capital City Partnership www.capitalcitypartnership.org Ellen Munro: Capital City Partnership www.capitalcitypartnership.org Gillian Cousin: Midlothian Council www.midlothian.gov.uk Alan Christie: Edinburgh Partnership European Programme www.edinburgh.gov.uk Cover photo: Cllr Frank Ross and Derek Shewan, Director of Urban Union, image courtesy of Weber Shandwick
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Gerardine Renwick: Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce www.edinburghchamber.co.uk Alastair Paul: Skills Development Scotland www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk Bruce Penman: IES Hubs Consortium, Edinburgh College www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk John Scott: Jobcentre Plus www.gov.uk Brian Thompson: Joined Up For Jobs www.joinedupforjobs.org.uk
Get in touch To amend or add to mailing lists visit ‘Join our Network’ at: www.joinedupforjobs.org.uk To contribute or respond to Working Capital magazine contact: Phone 0131 529 6154 We strive to reflect the diverse views of a voluntary partnership and while every effort is made to ensure that all information is accurate, no legal responsibility is taken by the City of Edinburgh Council for any errors, omissions or misleading information. All issues will be available as pdf documents, downloadable from the joined up for jobs website at: www.joinedupforjobs.org.uk WORKING CAPITAL NOVEMBER 2014
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the new issue of Working Capital After 11 years as a printed publication, Working Capital is now an electronic-only, interactive PDF. This issue takes a look at new employment and training initiatives like Smart Works and Digital Natives before providing an update on the most recent activity at the Fort Kinnaird Recruitment & Skills Centre. The Joined Up For Jobs Partnership Forum will have a double page spread in each issue, with this edition focussing on the changes to the Steering Group and the new sub groups. I recently visited the housing-led regeneration project at Pennywell which is being developed in a partnership between the Council and Urban Union. I signed an employability accord with Urban Union, which together with other local partners aims to create job opportunities for local people. This edition’s Key Feature provides case study examples of Community Benefits in action and Charting Progress takes a look
at some of the key statistics from this year’s Edinburgh By Numbers. Finally, there are case studies from the Edinburgh Jobs Fund and Street League and an update on the Challenge Fund. I hope you enjoy reading this issue.
Join us on Twitter You can now follow Working Capital on twitter to keep up to date with news from the network and to let us know if you have interesting articles for the next edition.
@WorkingCap_JUFJ Councillor Frank Ross, Convenor, Economic Committee
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NEWS
Ways to Work ‘Kick start your career!’ A free event was held in the stunning Music Hall in the Assembly Rooms on George Street on 12th September to allow unemployed 1624 year olds access to a large number of Modern Apprenticeship places, training opportunities, college places and of course employment opportunities. The event was organised by Skills Development Scotland in partnership with the Department for Work and
Ways to Work at the Assembly Rooms
Pensions and The Edinburgh Guarantee. Young job seekers were invited along to take advantage of the great opportunities on offer. Over 500 people attended the event and the feedback from both the attendees and the exhibitors has been fantastic. This was the second event of this nature
in 2014 with a number of repeat exhibitors attending following the success and quality of the candidates from the initial event that was held in February. To be kept up to date on future jobs fairs and training events please sign up to the Joined up for Jobs website and weekly bulletin.
The Christmas recruitment campaign which ran from the beginning of October until Friday 7 November was a roaring success with over 550 job seekers visiting the centre seeking assistance to apply for the huge number of jobs that were available. There has been tremendous It may only be November support from the JUFJ but already the Recruitment providers in assisting with and Skills Centre (RSC) at job searches, interview Fort Kinnaird have promoted skills preparation and online and serviced 437 Christmas application support. vacancies on behalf of the The expansion at Fort retailers in the park, and Kinnaird will see an increase that’s not including the in permanent vacancies whopping 130 vacancies that becoming available in the have been filled for TK Maxx. coming months and the team
at the RSC will welcome job seekers and providers to gain access to these opportunities. Feedback from employers has been extremely positive with the hiring manager at TK Maxx stating “I cannot recommend the team from the Recruitment and Skills Centre enough or praise them highly enough for their commitment.”
Christmas is already here at Fort Kinnaird Recruitment & Skills Centre
For more information John Gibson at john.gibson@fkrsc.mygbiz .com or 0131 657 2674 Website: Fort Kinnaird Social Media: Facebook
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NEWS
Smart Works moves to Leith Smart Works Edinburgh has now moved into premises in Bonnington Bond in Leith. Women who have secured a job interview are now coming to their office where, with the support of volunteers, they choose an outfit from the extensive range of suitable work clothes that have been donated to the charity by working women and retailers. An experienced interview trainer also gives the clients some interview training so that they not only look good but have the interview skills they need. This provides a boost to their confidence and improves their chance of success in their interview. If the client is successful she is invited back to Smart Works to choose some additional items so she has a range of clothes to wear when she starts work. Their referrals currently come from charities, the NHS and Work Programme providers.
For more information Frippy Fyfe, 0131 516 7787 www.smartworks.org.uk @smartworksHQ
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creative freedom, equipment and encouragement to develop their ideas. Operating in Edinburgh and West Lothian, Digital Natives has been kickDigital Natives is a started by funding from the new pilot project from Enterprise Ready Fund and Community Enterprise, the West Lothian Economic which offers young people Growth Fund, with priority real work experience in given to young people with a graphic design, digital background in care. marketing, social With travel and lunch media, e-commerce expenses included, and crowdfunding placements will typically be combined with one-to-one two days a week in their office employability mentoring. in Edinburgh or Bathgate. Community Enterprise has The placement length will developed Digital Natives be determined by the young to offer young people aged person’s individual goals. between 16 and 24 a real If you are interested in work placement where they finding out more about Digital can work alongside their Natives, or if you are working experienced and talented with any young people who staff to learn essential skills might like to get involved, get in digital media. in touch. Young people will have the opportunity to work with For more information their design and creative Alex Colling at alex@ marketing agency, Bold, and communityenterprise.co.uk to work on other projects like or 07788273345 communityenterprise.co.uk Run Native and SE Venues. Social media: Each participant will also @CommEnterprise work with an employability mentor to help them consolidate their skills and experience with CV writing, job searching, applications and interview skills. The programme is individually tailored to the participant’s interests and learning needs and young people will be given the
Digital Native
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NEWS
Support for self-employment New Enterprise Allowance is an initiative designed to support people that are unemployed and are thinking of starting up their own business or becoming self-employed. The New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) Scheme can provide money and support to help someone start their own business if they are getting certain benefits. Sarah E Baldwin, Makeup Artist was referred to the NEA scheme by her Jobcentre advisor and was delighted to be allocated a business mentor who was able to guide and support Sarah with her business aspirations. The mentoring was delivered by the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and Sarah received help and advice to build and develop her business plan. The scheme really helped to take Sarah’s business forward and assisted her with an array of topics over the 8 weeks in which she had her business mentor. Creating a business plan allowed Sarah to really look at the business and help her plan for the future. Having a business mentor gave Sarah the answers to lots of questions she had about starting up and filled her with confidence to start a business that was right for her. Sarah feels the whole experience has been invaluable for her and her business. Now in her second year of trading, Sarah is enjoying every sustainable ways. The judges were looking for programmes that showed strong results in terms of the skills and abilities developed; retention and the financial benefits to Standard Life has been shortlisted in the Personnel the organisation. Mark Smith, Sustainability Today Awards 2014 in the Youth Employment Initiative Programmes Manager said: “We’re delighted that category. our Edinburgh Guarantee The award recognises programme has been the challenges faced by recognised. The young people young people entering the workforce and the companies who’ve joined us have grown who are responding to those in confidence and thrived in challenges in innovative and the workplace. It’s also made
Standard Life Shortlisted for Youth Employment Award
Sarah E Baldwin’s successful Makeup Artistry business
moment of it and continues to put her learning into practice.
For more information www.gov.uk/government/ collections/new-enterpriseallowance-campaign
a huge difference to the diversity of our workforce and we’re delighted that 76% of those starting the programme have retained employment. We’re very proud of them and the award is very much theirs!”
For more information Mark Smith at mark_x_ smith@standardlife.com or 0131 245 7670 www.standardlife.co.uk Social Media: @Standardlifeplc
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STRATEGY
Get On Gateway update Over the last 6 months, development work to raise the profile of the Get On Gateway has focussed on supporting cross-discipline frontline staff, both internally and externally, who may be working with potential service users. This support has included meeting with Registered Social Landlords and Private Sector Leasing housing providers such as Link PSL and Link Living, Hillcrest Housing and Bethany Visiting Support Service as well as the City of Edinburgh Council housing support teams. This has also included childcare staff, Income Maximisation and Welfare Reform teams, libraries, and NHS frontline services. Get On was represented at a meeting of the ‘Money Matters’ partnership managers which included Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Port of Leith Housing Association and Dunedin Canmore. Throughout October, Get On was also represented at 12 Housing Regeneration road shows across the city in conjunction with Services for
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Get On contact centre staff
Communities, a programme of employability events including the Fort Kinnaird Employability and Learning event and Neighbourhood Partnership events. Additional employability and learning fairs are planned for early in the New Year. Supporting this work, the use of Google Analytics and contact centre data has been utilised to monitor the effectiveness and assess the relevance of the Get On Gateway Access points. Early signs suggest a positive increase from a wider range of services. Supporting this engagement plan is a programme of information sessions for the Employability Hubs staff. Over the next year the plan is to develop a programme of employability interventions to address the needs of customers using library and housing services. Furthermore, Get On will continue to support NHS specialist services and develop this further while identifying other NHS frontline departments with interest in accessing Get On support. The team will continue to review and assess of the effectiveness of the communications plan.
For more information Alison Malcolm Alison.malcolm@edinburgh.gov.uk. www.edinburgh.gov.uk/geton
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Scottish Welfare Fund
The Scottish Welfare Fund’s (SWF) spending on Crisis Grants since April 2014 has trebled since the same period last year. This is for a few reasons: 1. The guidance was relaxed from April 2014 to allow the Scottish Welfare Fund to consider customers that were subject to a sanction. As the SWF’s priority levels are at a high level just now, priority has been given to customers who have any children in their household to allow them to heat their property and ensure the children do not go hungry. 2. There is an increased awareness of the fund compared to its first year. 3. Customers are aware that they can only apply 3 times in a 12 month period, however for many the crisis is still ongoing possibly
due to lack of support elsewhere, so they are back in touch as soon as a previous claim has elapsed. So what has the SWF been doing to help its customers? Each case is looked at on its own merits to see what the crisis is first. If more appropriate help is available, the SWF will signpost the customer to this first. If the SWF cannot help they will transfer the call through to the Advice Shop for a Foodbank referral or where they have concerns that customers are not coping with debt and need more specialised advice. One area of concern is the number of calls from worried individuals that the SWF receive daily in relation to lost/stolen wallets etc. This is in situations where customers have been asked to first contact the bus company/restaurant or establishment where it was lost and to wait 24 hours to report to the police. Customers often call SWF for support in these situations. The SWF Community Care Grant spend is on track for this year and spending levels are down slightly, primarily due to the new furniture supplier being ‘The Furnishing Service’. These prices are approximately 8-10% cheaper than previous suppliers which has meant more awards are being made to SWF customers.
For more information Brian McCaskell brian.mccaskell@edinburgh.gov.uk 0131 469 5135 Website: The City of Edinburgh Council Scottish Welfare Fund
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STRATEGY
Universal Credit – developing local support services Universal Credit is being implemented in Scotland from February 2015 and the main change is the move from fortnightly to monthly benefit payments. This will be introduced for single claimants signing up for Jobseekers Allowance at first. All new claims will need to be made online and regularly updated. The main challenges are likely to be budgeting for rent and other bills; also digital access and skills.
A group of partners from Council frontline services, Registered Social Landlords and Jobcentre Plus are coordinating their response to these challenges through a “local support services framework” to identify any gaps in services and ensure that customers get the help they need to manage this change. An informal pilot to find out the concerns from customers includes a one page survey. Questions focus on levels
of confidence in using a computer or other device to pay bills and compare prices and can rate their confidence on budgeting. The survey will only take a few minutes and will be promoted to all Joined up for Jobs partners to complete with their clients. For more information and to download a copy of the survey for your customers see www.joinedupforjobs.org.uk
For more information Vivienne Robinson, vivienne. robinson@edinburgh.gov.uk
Local Employment Partnership event Following on from the successful event in May the next communications meeting for the Local Employability Partnership was held on the 19th of November at COSLA. This focussed on contract priorities for 2015/16, performance review for the year so far and the future labour market needs and trends. The session was well attended by over 60
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representatives from across the employability field in Edinburgh’s private, third and public sectors. Presentations from Vivienne Robinson: CEC, Patricia Thomson: SDS, Angela Penman: DWP and Donald Calder: Edinburgh College were interspersed with group discussions concentrating on supporting clients at each stage in the Strategic Skills Pipeline. Opportunities to discuss and consider the approach
to addressing labour market skills gaps were also useful. Presentations will be available on Joined up for Jobs website. The next Local Employability Partnership Event will be held early in the New Year.
For more information Alison Malcolm, Alison. malcolm@edinburgh.gov. uk
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JOINED UP FOR JOBS
The New Forum One of the first tasks that Susan McLaughlin and Brian Thompson faced was to re constitute the Joined up For Jobs providers’ forum steering group. Bruce Penman (of Edinburgh College) who had sat on the steering group for many years stepped down, as did Luke Jeavons (Ingeus) and Janine Botfield (WOW) but a number of new faces have joined the group. This new steering group hopefully provides a good representation of the JUFJ network.
The latest Forum The JUFJ Providers forum took place on November 21st at the newly renovated Business Centre in the City Chambers. As the new Chair of JUFJ, Susan McLaughlin welcomed those in attendance. The first item of the day was a presentation of the Charter Awards to Enable, Move On, Making it Work, Cre8te and Women onto Work. Rona Hunter (CEC) provided an update on the co-production that will take place over the next 6-8 months for the Integrated Employability Service (IES) recommissioning. Details will be posted on the JUFJ website. Rhona McLinden (CCP) gave an update from Joined Up For Business and the key sectors that will be recruiting in the near future: IT, care, retail, hospitality and construction. All vacancies will be advertised via Universal Jobmatch and the JUFJ website. Fiona Boubert (DWP) gave a presentation
All members are happy to discuss issues, ideas for future forum meetings and networking opportunities. Steering Group members are as follows: Susan McLaughlin – Chair (Forth Sector) Brian Thompson – Vice Chair (Volunteer Centre) Bert Craig (Self Start) Jay Lafferty (Impact Arts) Sarah Biggerstaff (Ingeus) Peter Purves (Into Work) Hazel Swan (WOW) Katie Weavers (CEC) Joanna Nethercott (Edinburgh College) Vincent Connor (Enable)
on Universal Support Delivered Locally and an in-depth presentation on Welfare Reform. Finally, Brian Thompson (Volunteer Centre) provided information on the JUFJ forum survey that took place earlier this year. For presentations and minutes of the forum, please visit the JUFJ website.
Fiona Boubert providing an update from DWP
WORKING CAPITAL NOVEMBER 2014
JOINED UP FOR JOBS had not made the forum more accessible. Positively, respondents felt that the always met at the Business duration of the forum was In June this year the JUFJ suitable and that having them forum steering group initiated Centre. It was hoped that decentralising the forum quarterly was the optimum a survey. The purpose of would encourage more frequency. this was to ascertain forum frontline staff to attend The results were presented members’ opinions on the at the recent Providers venue, format and themes of and allow organisations to showcase the work of Forum. If you missed the the Forum. An online survey employability partners across forum but would like to find was emailed to 290 people; 47 people responded, giving a the City. However, the results out more, you can view the presentations on the Joined response percentage of 16%. of the survey showed that the majority felt the move Up For Jobs website Historically, the Forum
JUFJ Providers Forum survey
The New JUFJ Subgroups As part of the Survey, the JUFJ Partnership Forum steering group asked what would make the Forum more interesting and encourage increased engagement. Many people identified that they would like to see more opportunities for front line staff to network, share good practice and have the opportunity to learn about other services. The steering group considered how it could respond and has suggested that quarterly meeting stays the same, providing a general overview of new opportunities for funding and partnerships and DWP changes. In addition, sub groups are being established which focus on specialisms. The sub
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groups can decide on their own agenda, frequency of meetings and purpose. They will appoint a chair who will report back into the main quarterly forum. Staff will be able to opt in and out of each sub group as the topics are of relevance or interest.
These groups will initially be chaired by members of the steering group. This is to get them up and running. However it is intended that the groups will be chaired by members. Your views and comments on this proposal are welcomed.
Forum Sub Group
Main Contact
Mental Health and Disability Young People Addictions Long term unemployed Women Policy and Strategy
Vince Connor Vincent.connor@enable.co.uk Jay Laffery jlafferty@impactarts.co.uk Bert Craig bert@selfstart.org.uk Sarah Biggerstaff sbiggerstaff@ingeus.org.uk Hazel Swan hazel.swan@womenontowork.org.uk Susan McLaughlin susan.mclaughlin@ forthsector.org.uk Brian Thompson brian.thompson@ volunteredinburgh.org.uk
For more information Susan McLaughlin (JUFJ Chair) 0131 201 2477 or Brian Thompson (JUFJ Vice Chair) 0131 603 5172 www.joinedupforjobs.org.uk
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KEY FEATURE ‘Community Benefits Clauses’ have been used in publicly procured projects for several years; notable examples include Glasgow Housing Association, Raploch Urban Regeneration Company, Inverclyde and Dundee City Councils. They can include Targeted Recruitment & Training, supply-chain initiatives, ‘considerate contractor’ schemes, contributions to education, the promotion of social enterprises, and resources for community initiatives. Courtney Rankine is the first Modern Apprentice for his development with Urban Union
Community Benefits in Action The public sector in Scotland spends a significant amount of money each year, £65.2bn in 2012/13, with the City of Edinburgh Council’s (CEC) annual budget for 2015-2018 to be around £950m. Understandably there is growing interest in examining ways in which this expenditure can be used to deliver wider social, environmental and economic benefits. 2
Pennywell and Muirhouse Regeneration Employability & Skills, supported by the Employer Engagement team at Capital City Partnership have built up considerable experience supporting the developers deliver on their Community Benefit targets in relation to employment and training opportunities. This includes the latest and largest phase of 21st Century Homes, the Council’s house building programme. Urban Union have been awarded the contract to build over 700 homes in Pennywell and Muirhouse. The homes will be constructed in four phases over the next eight to ten years with the first
WORKING CAPITAL NOVEMBER 2014
KEY FEATURE Development Director at Interserve Developments. The Accord had been developed in conjunction with CEC’s Business Partnerships Team and Interserve and provides a range of targeted recruitment services to the Developer, contractors and sub contractors through the Joined Up For Business network. The Accord has been a voluntary agreement between the partners and In addition to the jobs and whilst not as formal as a Community Benefit clause, training opportunities the project is delivering a number it has the same intention; of other Community Benefits, to bring added value to the city from the investment by including educational visits and an Arts Strategy delivered ensuring the labour needs by North Edinburgh Arts. Also of the development are met on the site, a new £12 million by local people wherever possible. It is hoped that NHS led Health and Social Care Hub began construction where Community Benefit clauses are not obligatory for in October 2014 and will the private developers, that also incorporate Community similar Employability Accords Benefits in its construction can be agreed relating to programme. other major developments in the Edinburgh 12 and Employability Accord beyond. As part of the Edinburgh 12 initiative and in Case Study: PhysiCare support of the Council’s In October, Lauren, an efforts to connect local S5 pupil from Firrhill High unemployed to jobs and School, took part in a 2 day training opportunities work shadowing placement created on the Haymarket with PhysiCare Chartered Development by Interserve, Physiotherapists. On an Employability Accord was completion she was given a signed by Councillor Frank reference for use in future Ross and David Westwater, University applications. phase now started on the former Craigroyston High School site. The Council have committed just over £42 million to this regeneration programme and around half of all the homes built will be for social and mid market rent. It is hoped that 60 new jobs, and 180 work placements will be realised during the life of the project, including 36 new apprenticeships.
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The opportunity arose following the award of a ‘Manual Handling Training’ contract with Health and Social Care and Services for Communities; and was facilitated by Employability and Skills and Children and Families. In addition to the Work placement PhysiCare are also offering 2 days of free Manual Handling training for an SME and a Charity in Edinburgh.
Lauren Hunter with physiotherapist, Helen McVicker
Look out for further information on Community benefits in subsequent issues of Working Capital including: •Portobello High School •New Royal Hospital for Sick Children •Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service Headquarters
For more information Alison Malcolm Alison. malcolm@edinburgh.gov.uk
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DEVELOPMENTS At the Spark Graduation event hosted by Forth 1 Radio presenters, this years J P Morgan prize was presented by Gary Pringle with the £500 being awarded to a Funded by JP Morgan and timetables are produced and completely stunned Sammy. agreed between the project, delivered by a Forth Sector At 15 Sammy was referred school, employer, college, /Barnardos partnership, to the programme as she the Spark @ The Yards early and youngster outlining their had completely disengaged new school week and seen as with education, there were intervention programme is a “package of learning”. one year on and flying. behavioural issues in and out The “buy in” by the Over the last 12 months of school, a difficult home life, youngsters of this the project, designed for and the likelihood of leaving combination of employability with no qualifications. young people still at school training, work placement, but at serious risk of falling After a shaky start school work, teambuilding, out of education, has had completing her 1-1 etc. was seen as more great success in inspiring employability training, exciting, relevant and youngsters 14+ to pick and Sammy settled down into fulfil a pathway to their future. achievable, and levels of her new timetable of work engagement showed a huge placement and college. The Working with Castlebrae, Holyrood, and Portobello High increase in participation by reviews from her employer Schools in identifying around over 90%. were glowing, “A Star”. Her 50 high risk pupils, bespoke attitude and behaviour improved dramatically, and her confidence and maturity grew day by day. Samantha subsequently gained an unconditional acceptance for a full time Level 2 Beauty Course with Edinburgh College and now helps fund herself through working seasonal shift work. The project has successfully received a second year funding from JP Morgan.
Sparks Fly at Duddingston Yards
For more information www.forthsector.org.uk/ Sammy won the prize at this year’s Spark Graduation
Social Media: @ForthSector
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DEVELOPMENTS
Future Job Opportunities in Edinburgh The City Chambers was home to a very well attended ‘Joined up for Business – Future Job Opportunities’ event in early October. Feedback from previous JUFB events has highlighted that partners have all wanted to hear directly from employers; what it is they are looking for in staff, how can JUFJ address these needs and ultimately create strong candidate matches to meet the employer needs. A record number of JUFJ partners attended to hear first-hand from employers and industry experts about the many major developments taking place both now and what is planned for the future in the city. The morning featured an overview detailing where growth in the employment market is predicted in the coming months and years. The session then progressed on to hear from the experts. Brookfield Multiplex discussed the extensive construction opportunities that will become available
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Future Job Opportunities event at the City Chambers
throughout the build of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children among other projects, looking in particular at the requirements for Unskilled, Craft, Technical and Graduate positions. An update was also offered on the Edinburgh 12+ programme and the providers were informed that a master schedule of opportunities is being created and will grow as each site launches. CarrGomm then presented their need to attract more people to a career in the Home Care sector as the market is ever expanding. A passion to help people, communication, confidence and reliability were the key strengths that this sector requires. Retail and hospitality opportunities were next up. Fort Kinnaird announced the expansion of the park which will see the cinema complex open in the New Year, 5 restaurants opening in the coming months and Primark opening in October 2015.
This will ultimately bring many new jobs to the area and the Recruitment and Skills Centre will manage these vacancies and will work with providers to match clients. Lastly, the Financial & Business Sector manager from SDS updated providers on the current requirements for this sector, looking in particular at IT, Insurance, Banking and how SDS strategically identify employers needs to address the skills gaps. All opportunities will be published via the JUFJ noticeboard and slides from the presentation are available by contacting Ellen Munro. To register your clients interests in Home Care courses, please contact Mark Diver on 0131 475 2435.
For more information Ellen Munro, ellen.munro@ capitalcitypartnership.org 0131 270 6030 www.joinedupforjobs.org. uk/noticeboard/ @Joinedup4bus
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FUNDING
New Challenge Fund process is underway In consultation with representatives from the third sector, the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) has been reviewing the way it allocates grant funding. The main agreed changes are that there must be an element of ‘co-production’ in the designing of new funding programmes and grant awards will be for 3 years (subject to performance). The Youth Employment Partnership has commissioned an in-depth review of employability provision for young people. Grant awards for this client group have therefore been recommended for continuation in 2015/16. The review report will inform the development of a new programme which will be launched in October next year. In order to shape a new programme for adult services, Employability and Skills and Capital City Partnership held a ‘coproduction’ meeting in August to look at strategy and priorities. In total, 40 people attended representing 33 service providers. A wide ranging discussion showed a broad consensus which endorsed CEC’s Strategy for Jobs particularly with respect to the current priorities which are: •Helping school leavers and young people make the transition into work •Early intervention to support recently unemployed people •Supporting those in low paid and insecure employment •Providing employment support for regeneration areas and vulnerable individuals.
It was generally agreed that the value of the Challenge Fund is that it achieves results by providing a funding resource to smaller organisations with a focus on specialist work which complements the work of the Integrated Employability Service. One major change to existing practice was recommended: that a cap of £75k per annum should be introduced. This change was subsequently approved by the Economy Committee. The new programme of provision for adults was launched in mid-October. As in previous years, Jenny Ewing and Iain Rorke offered one-to-one support to assist applicants to present their proposals effectively. This year, 18 organisations took up this offer. Twenty seven applications were received by the deadline, including 14 proposals for entirely new provision, and 8 applications from local organisations who have not previously applied to this fund. Applications are scored and discussed by the Assessment Panel during November and a list of recommendations will be presented to the Economy Committee on 18 December. Final approval will be by the full Council when the city’s budget is debated in midFebruary.
For further information Jenny Ewing, jenny.ewing@ capitalcitypartnership.org, 0131 270 6045 www.joinedupforjobs.org.uk/serviceproviders/funding/challenge-fund
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FUNDING
A League of His Own Street League engages with 16 to 25-year-olds who are not in employment, education and training in a structured football and education ‘Academy’ programme, with two hours in the classroom and two hours on the pitch each day. Grant first engaged with Street League during an alternative employability provision at his secondary school pre-Christmas 2013. As part of a group of 12, Grant participated in workshops addressing key employability skills, as well as fun football sessions to implement them in a practical setting. He was becoming slightly disillusioned with school life and it was agreed that a new challenge was best for him. Having made the decision to leave school, Grant joined Street League’s Stage 3 Employability Fund programme in Pilton during May 2014. As a keen footballer, Grant settled in immediately, but it was his attitude and appetite to work that impressed most. He successfully achieved an SQA Leadership Award (SCQF Level 5) following the planning and delivery of a mini-Olympic event to a local primary school group, and an SQA Steps to Work (SCQF Level 4) award where he improved his interview skills and work awareness. The highest praise Grant received was from Street League’s corporate partner State Street, who said they were “very impressed with the focus and desire in Grant. He has his mind set on sport at college but recognises the importance of employment, not just financially, but the people skills he will develop from work and how this will support his future as a football coach.” Grant’s goal was to continue his progression by attending college to study Sport and Fitness, but he was determined that he did not want to sit idle
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Grant (on right) with Scotland international Christophe Berra and Stage 3 Employability Fund team-mate Stuart, who started at McDonald’s on the same day as Grant
until college began in August – he wanted to work. Following a series of applications and CVs being submitted, Grant excelled in his interview for the role of Crew Member at McDonald’s. Grant sustained his new job role until the new college term began where he then moved on to the next challenge in his life – NC Sport and Fitness at Edinburgh College’s Sighthill Campus.
For more information Steven Jardine at steven.jardine@ streetleague.co.uk or 0131 344 0399 www.streetleague.co.uk @Street_League
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FUNDING
Edinburgh Jobs Fund The Edinburgh Jobs Fund team are engaged in the final promotion of the fund prior to the end date of 31 December 2014. The last quarter saw 41 new employees gain employment with the assistance of Edinburgh Jobs Fund while welcoming the inclusion of 12 young people employed through the Inspiring Young People programme. The team continue to ensure full compliance with European Social Fund requirements and assist employers to complete claims with the aim of having near to 100% claim rate for the Edinburgh Programme. As the team move towards the end date, priorities will shift towards ensuring each employer has a satisfactory audit trail, while ensuring any new-starts prior to 31 December are authorised efficiently. Referrals continue to come from a number of places including Training Providers, JET programme, self referrals and the Joined Up For Business network. Over the remaining few months of the programme
Jennifer McKillop, Sales and Commercial Video Operator, Youth Football Scotland
the team expect to still see many employers looking to utilise the fund to grow their business. Jennifer McKillop, 24 was employed with Youth Football Scotland for a period of 6 months through the Youth Employment Scotland Fund. Before starting her employment, Jennifer was travelling and volunteering abroad in Australia, America and Germany. Upon returning to the UK she actively volunteered with Youth Football Scotland as a camera operator. Although this post was new and additional, it didn’t go out to recruitment as the employer felt Jennifer was a suitable candidate in the new post of Sales and Commercial Video Operator.
Jennifer felt being employed allowed her to utilise skills she gained at college and develop further skills about how to deal with clients. Jennifer believes Youth Football Scotland have given her a step onto the career ladder which she wouldn’t have had otherwise and she would like to stay on at Youth Football Scotland if there was an opportunity available.
For more information Brian Robertson brian.d.robertson@ edinburgh.gov.uk 0131 529 3096 www.joinedupforjobs.org.uk/ Social Media: @EdinJobsFund
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ESF UPDATE
European Social Fund Programme Management Office Update The European Social Fund Priority 5 (ESF P5) Programme was successful in having an extension request of six months to 31st December 2014 approved by the Scottish Government. This has allowed twelve projects across both Edinburgh and Midlothian to continue to deliver Pipeline related activity to this point and for the Programme overall to ensure maximum ESF grant is drawn down to support these activities. For those projects that have already finished, the Programme Management Office (PMO) is working to ensure all appropriate supporting documentation is in place to allow for project closure and the full payment of any ESF grant due to them. The PMO is seeking to minimise any risk from future audit checks on the Programme; these checks could take place at any point up until 31st December 2019 (as it stands), carried out by auditors from both the Scottish Government and European Commission. Projects will be selected
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entirely at random for these checks. The final claim for projects that are still operational is due to be submitted to the PMO no later than 31st January 2015. Claims should be completed and returned together with full supporting documentation to allow for appropriate checks to be made by the PMO. This will be the last opportunity for projects to report on the ESF P5 Programme so it is vitally important that all financial and participant information is reported accurately and consistently. This will help to ensure that final verification checks by the Scottish Government are carried out successfully and that final ESF grant payments can then be made timeously. The PMO would like to offer their thanks again to all partners for helping them to manage their ESF claim and compliance requirements fully. The Scottish Government also appreciate this and Edinburgh has been complimented by them for both the accuracy and
presentation of documentation provided to auditors during on site visits. It would be great to maintain these standards until the end. At the time of writing, Edinburgh has not received official notification of its allocation for the next ESF Programme. However this amount is likely to be significantly reduced from the current ESF P5 award and will be utilised to support additional activity via the Hubs and Supported Employment contracts. As has been stated previously no current project should assume that ESF support will continue indefinitely or that they will make up part of any new Programme. Projects should have been making appropriate plans some time ago in terms of an exit strategy for ESF funding coming to an end.
For more information Alan Christie: alan.christie@ edinburgh.gov.uk, 0131 469 3868 www.joinedupforjobs.org.uk/ service-providers/funding/ esf-priority-5
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CHARTING PROGRESS
Edinburgh by Numbers showcases the City Edinburgh by Numbers publication provides an annual statistical overview of Edinburgh and its comparative economic performance. This year’s expanded edition contains new pages on the social economy, Council services and quality of life in the city as well as key facts and figures on Edinburgh’s economic performance. For the first time, the 2014 publication has interactive links to all the source data. It exemplifies how the local authority and its partners are delivering public services in challenging times, and highlights the
significant economic contribution made by Edinburgh’s charity sector. The data highlights that Edinburgh is a safe, clean city with a highly skilled workforce, growing job opportunities, and one of the highest wellbeing rates in the UK. Edinburgh is well connected both digitally and in terms of public transport, with access to world class healthcare and education facilities for all, and a wealth of cultural and leisure opportunities.
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CHARTING PROGRESS
In 2013, Edinburgh welcomed 23 new foreign direct investment projects, bringing 1027 jobs to the city. For the third year in a row, the Council’s programme to promote Edinburgh to investors has brought external recognition for the city, ranked as top midsized city in FDI Magazine’s European Cities and Regions of the Future 2014–15. By the end of 2013 Edinburgh’s unemployment (JSA claimant) rate had
bounced back from a peak of 3.6% in 2012 to 2.1%, the lowest since December 2008. Throughout recession and recovery, this figure has remained consistently below the Scottish rate, a testament to the city’s resilience. The future also looks bright for Edinburgh’s school leavers, in part due to effective partnership with local employers through the Edinburgh Guarantee programme. Between its launch in 2011 and the end of 2013, this Council led programme has helped 724 young people into employment with 68% of job opportunities generated in small and medium enterprises. Over 91% of 2013 Edinburgh school leavers achieved a positive destination in work, education or training, the highest rate ever recorded in the city, and up 10% since 2008. Hard copies are available in local libraries and from Business Intelligence (2.2 Waverley Court). The City of Edinburgh Council’s Business Intelligence team welcome feedback on Edinburgh by Numbers 2014 through their online survey.
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TALKING POINT people to develop their skills and client supports as well as schools, and other Council and experiences as they progress towards and into provided services. In order to secure some savings and employment. We work in partnership ensuring best value whilst retaining quality, the Council with the Council – it is in By Susan McLaughlin, everyone’s interest (especially has no choice but to tender chair of JUFJ the clients) that we identify many services it previously areas we can either reduce procured via Service Level As Janine Botfield headed expenditure or give better Agreements. Tendering back to the sunny shores of value for money. opens up opportunities for South Queensland, I as vice We celebrate our successes expansion and development chair and Brian Thompson – We need to highlight in our organisations but it as Secretary were voted in our own and our clients’ also offers threats -threats as the new chair and vice achievements. Within the city that many large national chair respectively. Brian and organisations will also tender. of Edinburgh, hundreds of I have both served on the This makes all of our futures people gain employment and steering group for four years are supported to sustain that a little uncertain. and are currently employed How have we responded to employment by our hard work. within the Employability This should be celebrated to this uncertainty? Sector. show the impact of our work We have formed The sector has changed partnerships with other third and the funding we receive. radically within a very short This is what we do and sector organisations – our time. Welfare Reform and strength is in our localism our hopefully we can find a way the Work Programme has experiences and our trained to keep on doing it. This is had massive impact on our my vision: a third sector that and dedicated staff. clients. Many have been works in partnership for the We continue to do what found fit for work after a benefit of the clients. we are best at – supporting period of worklessness or ill heath spanning many years. They lack the confidence and experience to secure employment without support from our organisations. Organisationally we are also facing some very tough times. The City of Edinburgh Council has to make savings of £67 million over the next 3 years. This not inconsiderable sum will have to be made from savings in front line delivery services Susan McLaughlin and Brian Thompson
A Vision for the Future
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FIND OUT MORE Dates for your Diary
Childcare Support for Working Families- CPAG.
Universal Credit for tenants in social housing Thursday 5 February 2015, Glasgow
17th February 2015, Glasgow This half day course is aimed at people working in childcare and early years who want to maximise incomes for working families and help them avoid common benefit problems. It looks at the social security system and how this works with other sources of support. It will help you identify who can get childcare support through tax credits and understand the new system for help with childcare costs through universal credit. www.cpag.org.uk/content/childcaresupport-working-families
This new course looks in detail at how tenants in social housing will get help with their housing costs in universal credit through practical exercises and case studies. It includes the main features of universal credit, how universal credit is worked out, liability for rent and occupation of the home, service charges and nondependant deductions, sanctions and much more. www.cpag.org.uk/content/universal-credittenants-social-housing
Recent/Useful Publications
The Skills Crunch – Princes Trust This publication looks at the present business environment of the UK and explores growth prospects and how workforces are equipped to face demands. The findings from this research show that senior executives now believe there is renewed buoyancy in the UK economy
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higher than that of adults. It also looks at the benefits of employer engagement with young people; how their employability skills can be increased through schools and work experience; and direct routes into employment through the likes of apprenticeships and graduate schemes. It highlights the success organisations have CIPD – Learning to work had in these areas over the with young people last two years discusses areas This research looks at of difficulty that businesses the way employers can have faced with the younger prepare young people for workforce. work. It focuses on youth www.cipd.co.uk/binaries/ employment trends in the employers-learning-to-workUK and highlights that the with-young-people_2014-july. unemployment rate for young pdf people has always been
and they have a refreshed belief in the demand for their business services. Nonetheless, there are some concerns about how workforces are lacking the skills to meet demands and the consequences this could have in the long run. www.princes-trust.org.uk/ pdf/SkillsCrunch.pdf
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TOOLKIT
GovDelivery You can subscribe to receive information to help you look for work, ďŹ nd out about work experience or training, or prepare for an interview, straight into your email inbox. By subscribing at https://public.govdelivery. com/accounts/UKDWP/ subscriber/new you choose to receive information and advice on the topics that are relevant to you. You choose the topics you are interested in. That might be work experience, or help for young people, or advice on looking for work if you have a health problem or a disability and many other topics too. You will be kept up to date with recruitment events and training opportunities, as well as the help available in your local Jobcentre.
Employability in Scotland The work of the Employability Learning Network is coordinated by The Scottish Governments Employability Team. The bulletin provides updates from across the network. It is perfect for professionals
are having on the capital through monitoring a selected range of monthly-updated economic indicators. This monthly bulletin is ideal for those with an interest in Edinburgh’s economy. You can access current and archive issues of the Economy Watch at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/ from public, private and third economywatch. sector backgrounds. http:// www.employabilityinscotland. com/employability-learningnetwork/employability-ebulletin/
Edinburgh Guarantee The Edinburgh Guarantee bi-monthly newsletter communicates any updates and new developments from the Edinburgh Guarantee and can include relevant research or success stories. If you would like to sign up to receive the Edinburgh Guarantee newsletter visit www.edinburghguarantee. org/newsletter-job-alerts/.
Joined Up For Jobs Weekly Digest
Joined up for Jobs is the jobs strategy for Edinburgh. It sets out how a partnership of key agencies will help more people into employment. This weekly bulletin gives you a roundup of news from the JUFJ website notice board. This can include news, developments, employment opportunities and courses. To be added to the mailing list please visit www. joinedupforjobs.org.uk/joinour-network/.
Economy Watch The Edinburgh Economy Watch tracks the impact that the current global and national economic conditions
WORKING CAPITAL NOVEMBER 2014
TOOLKIT
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion
Indus Delta Indus Delta is the UK welfare to work industry’s most up to date destination for news, discussion and online resources. Sign up to their weekly bulletin to receive sector related news stories and exclusives every Monday. To subscribe please go to indusdelta.us5.listmanage.com/subscribe
The Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion is the UK’s leading not-for-profit company dedicated to tackling disadvantage and promoting social inclusion in the labour market. Their e-briefings provide a weekly round-up of all the latest policy and research news in the fields of employability and skills, child poverty and vulnerable and excluded groups. To subscribe please visit www.cesi.org.uk/
SUSE
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Supported Employment promotes the rights of all individuals to achieve their full potential through a model of flexible support that enable people to overcome barriers to their employability and access real jobs for real pay. The Scottish Union of Supported Employment Scotland newsletter has all the latest news from across the network. To look at previous E-bulletins visit www.susescotland.co.uk/ e-bulletins/. If you would like to subscribe to the E-bulletin please contact SUSE on 0131 669 1133.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is a social policy research and development charity that funds a UK-wide research and development programme. You can sign up to receive a variety of email alerts including a monthly overview of all JRF publications, blogs and events as well as ‘calls for proposals’ which are sent out when a new call for proposals is published. www.jrf.org.uk/email-alerts-newsletter
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Get in touch If you have a new product, website, booklet or tools service which could be helpful to other organisations and individuals, please let us know so we can feature it in our Toolkit page. Please email katie.weavers@edinburgh.gov.uk
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EDINBURGH’S STRATEGIC SKILLS PIPELINE
You can get this document on tape, in Braille, large print and various computer formats if you ask us. Please contact the Interpretation and Translation Service (ITS) on 0131 242 8181 and quote reference number 13-1197. ITS can also give information on community language translations.
You can view this publication at www.joinedupforjobs.org.uk
Designed by The City of Edinburgh Council Corporate Governance 14-028/CD/SR/November 2014