|2nd Round Approved DPs|

Equal Employability DP

Objectives
The EQUAL Employability Project addresses Theme A:  “Facilitating access and return to the labour market for those who have difficulty in being integrated or reintegrated into a labour market which must be open to all”. The project will develop and test inclusive and innovative models of delivering training and employment related support to the most disadvantaged individuals at each stage of the route from chaotic life-styles through to supported employment. It brings together organisations, which do not normally work closely together and provides cohesion of services and clarity of objectives through a strong working network.   

Target Groups
Women, older people, disabled, the NEET group, people with mental health problems, prisoners and ex-offenders, people from areas of high unemployment, alchohol and drug misusers

Pilot Projects and Mainstreaming Outcomes 

Ayr College piloted a project focused on young people with no qualifications and metal health issues to help them improve their core skills and qualifications. The project developed a number of sub projects intended to encourage those furthest from the labour market to improve there employability. The project recruited 404 beneficiaries onto a number of courses that included:

Summer School
The summer school was aimed at young people aged 16 -19 who have drifted away from education, training and employment. Many were from difficult backgrounds. The summer school offered a taste of work in several professions including care, hospitality, marketing, media and tourism. It also provides support and guidance on CV preparation, interview techniques, building confidence, motivation and looking for jobs.

The Cumnock Youth Curriculum
Was an innovative employability project funded by Equal and run in partnership by Ayr College and Kilmarnock College. It used an informal approach to engage local young people in learning by allowing the students to take ownership of the methods and delivery of learning. The two main subject areas piloted were Construction and Fashion. The programme embedded personal development and employability skills into vocational training. Young people enrolled in the programme attend Classes 3 days a week, for 36 weeks. During the Classes the students learn varied trade skills from Brickwork, Joinery, Painting and Decorating and the Electrical and Plumbing trades with drama, IT and other core skills built into the curriculum. Students are aged between 16-19 years, and each class has a maximum of 16 students.

The promotional, recruitment and learning methodologies and support structures piloted have now been adopted into Ayr College's mainstream processes and have been included in East Ayrshire Councils CCP Bid to the new European Funding round which we are still awaiting the results of.

Adam Smith College developed Venture Forth, a roadmap and learning pathway for ex offenders and individuals leaving residential care which is relevant to their situation. The overall objectives was to combat discrimination and test new innovative support mechanisms that help integrate/re integrate these specific target groups back into the labour market. The project equipped participants with the ability to see the job market and world of work as a place of opportunity  as well as improving behaviours, attitudes and relations with others to increase prospects. The project recruited 16 beneficiaries in total with 50% obtaining a positive outcome.

BTCV as a partner in the Equal Employability DP was committed to the development of its volunteers whatever their needs. BTCV created a structured Volunteer Development Programme that enabled the long term unemployed to find employment in the environmental sector. 32 beneficiaries were recruited, of who 6 went on to Full time work, 15 remained in voluntary work, 4 went on to FE and the outcomes for 7 were unknown after they left the project. Through the project BTCV produced a Volunteer Employability Pack that consists of 9 sections allowing volunteers whilst on the BTCV Equal project to gain an introduction to the project, carry out a training needs analysis, keep a diary of their activity and review their employability goals.

The pack and the methodology used have now been mainstreamed into BTCV'S mainstream delivery programmes and the organisation was successful in applying for Objective 3 funding to mainstream the programme.

Cumbernauld College carried put an aftercare project, built on the national employability pilot supported by Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire, which aimed to address the imbalance in mainstream/ Further Education (FE) opportunities and employers expectations of young people to sustain employment. The College Training Unit carried out a baseline investigation on initial induction to measure the required intervention to improve the participant’s employability sustainability. The programme developed by the College identified employability issues that may not have been addressed at school or college by engaging with the participant to develop their confidence and self esteem, their self awareness and identity, reliability, motivation and attitude, core skills, problem solving skills, health and fitness and their work readiness.

The model addressed a range of soft skills and attributes that were sought by many companies giving the participant the transferable skills to sustain employment throughout their working life. Involvement of employers at this stage of the process was crucial. Without losing focus on the participant, the project looked closely at the requirements and expectations of the employer using NHS Lanarkshire as a test case.

This approach had benefits for both the participants and employers; for the participant the real life experience allowed the development of personal and core skills as well as the practical ‘job specific skills’. NHS Lanarkshire became confident on recruitment methods of this type and was encouraged to introduce ‘in work’ training for all workers.
The project recruited 152 beneficiaries over the lifetime of the project with 72% going onto employment within the NHS in Lanarkshire. The model developed by the project has now been included in Cumbernauld College’s mainline delivery.

Dundee College delivered a highly imaginative interactive computer based learning resource designed to develop people’s skills in the area of job seeking. ‘EMPLOYMENT DRIVER’ breaks new ground in this area – allowing people to work through a series of interactive units to develop their skills in the following areas:

• Skill Identification
• Compiling a Curriculum Vitae
• Writing letters of Application
• Completing Application forms
• Interview Skills
• Job Search

The Employment Driver is designed for everyone irrespective of background or qualifications that need to develop their job skills. It is very easy to use and navigate around. Full instructions are built into the DVD.
It can be used individually or in a group setting. The Employment Driver is now included it in the mainstream college provision with a commitment to maintain and update the information in the package.

Momentum piloted the Starting Point project aimed at adults (18 – 24) in Renfrewshire, who are registered unemployed and have a diagnosed mental health condition/history. The project gave beneficiaries a chance to meet new people, experience new skills and perhaps encourage them to consider the next positive step in their life. It included group work complementary therapy tasters, guest speakers, and tasters in computing, catering and graphic design. 86 people with mental health problems were recruited to the project with 63% of beneficiaries having a positive outcome into employment, education and training. A DVD outlining the work of the project was produced in October 2007.The DVD lasted approx 10 minutes and was launched at an event in Paisley on the 1^st October 2007 chaired by Wendy Alexander MSP. 500 copies of the DVD were produced. The project recruitment processes and methodology have now been mainstreamed into Momentum’s mainline services

North Highlands College developed the ‘Life and Work Skills’ programme, designed to improve the employability, vocational and citizenship skills of people suffering from social and geographic exclusion across the North Highland area. In particular, the project taregetted people with physical or mental disabilities, young people with learning difficulties and those who due to behavioural problems have become excluded from the workforce. The college recruited 27 beneficiaries who were involved in a recycling project. Through their involvement, and resulting gains in self-esteem, learners gained vocational qualifications and balanced their academic and core skills curriculum. In particular they developed their ability to work in teams, to talk comfortably to staff, to interact with a wider network outwith the college environment and to further develop their self-confidence. The project had also increased learners’ awareness of environmental issues and of their responsibilities in relation to society and the environment. North Highland College’s Equal project was highlighted as a sector leading example in their 2007 HMIe report under Guidance and Support and the project has now been mainstreamed into the colleges learning and teaching processes.

The Prince’s Trust project concentrated on improving young offender’s future employability. It developed and piloted ways to combat discrimination & test support mechanisms that helped young offenders/ex-offenders get their lives back on track and re-integrate into their local communities. The main target group was some of the most vulnerable young people, i.e. ex-offenders aged 16-25. Offenders currently have access to a range of education and employment measures - however they are often disadvantaged by poor basic skills, inappropriate attitudes and behaviours for employment, high levels of drug abuse and poor social and family backgrounds. The project aimed to reduce re-offending by empowering young people to take positive steps towards employment. The project recruited 34 beneficiaries over its lifetime and the activities included profiling and assessment of the individuals’ needs, guidance and counselling and access to relevant development programmes to assist the clients in their journey from offending to productive independent lives within their communities. Support mechanisms were based on individual needs and involved work with other agencies to ensure a seamless journey from offending to the full participation in the society. The Princes Trust piloted a young person’s challenge fund as part of the project and this has now become part of the mainstream services delivered by The Princes Trust.

Prospects - One of the greatest barriers for individuals with Asperger syndrome who wish to work is a lack of awareness and the ability to support amongst Scottish employers. To combat this, Prospects, through a combination of persuasion, education and example, worked to educate employers as to the economic advantages that are available when the skills of this potential workforce are properly utilised.

Prospects also worked alongside educational establishments, their disability support services and their careers services, to develop a transitions programme. This ensured that individuals with Asperger syndrome attained qualifications commensurate to their ability when supported appropriately. The aim was to improve the employability of this group of beneficiaries. They recruited 30 beneficiaries to the project 29 of whom went on to Further Education and 1 into Voluntary Work. In addition the Project produced a handbook entitled Employing People with Asperger Syndrome: A Practical Guide. The handbook was produced to give employers, HR personnel and managers the tools they need to support individuals with Aspergers Syndrome from recruitment through to establishment in their jobs. It is also designed to be used by employers who have a member of their workforce who has recently been diagnosed with the condition. Over 300 copies were distributed to employers with plans to mainstream the publication through the National Autistic Society and update it annually.

Reid Kerr College piloted the ‘Preparing for Work’ project that was aimed at testing and developing innovative methods and routes to employment working with a wide range of disadvantaged groups in order to improve their employability skills. The project was a supported employment programme that provided services to employers to assist in the employment of people with additional needs. The college provided an assigned job coach to identify skills and abilities, match potential jobs to the skills and aspirations of learners and to work alongside individuals until they were confident and capable in their job. To ensure the best job match possible, full job analysis and vocational profiling was carried out by the college.
The recruitment and teaching methodology and support structures piloted have now been adopted into the mainstream college processes and the project was highlighted as a sector leading example in the College’s 2007 HMIe inspection report.

The Lennox Partnership piloted, for the first time in Scotland, the STRIVE (Support and Training Results in Valuable Employees) project; a new and innovative programme to help unemployed disadvantaged individuals into employment. It was first delivered by East Harlem Employment Services in New York in 1985. By 2002 STRIVE had expanded from a single site operation in Harlem into a city wide network with multiple sites. The programme was brought to the UK by the LEAP project (Local Employment Access Project) in 1999.

The core STRIVE programme consisted of a 3 week intensive course followed by up to 2 years assistance with job search and placement.
The STRIVE model challenged negative attitudes with a forceful approach aimed at creating ‘no nonsense’ employment related environment where excuses are unacceptable and participants are provided with tools to begin viewing themselves as marketable adults. The aim was to improve their self confidence and self motivation and to develop the interpersonal skills that employer’s value.
The Strive Project recruited 335 beneficiaries during the projects lifetime. The project has been included in the Dundee City Partnerships CPP bid for 2008.

The University of the West of Scotland (former Paisley University) developed and evaluated a new course for employment advisors working with the target client groups. This was piloted in conjunction with the other Equal Employability partners and the University developed and delivered relevant modules in an online format.

The University has now produced a qualification known as a Graduate Certificate in Employability Support. The certificate has been approved for certification by the University Court and is now available as part of the University’s mainstream provision.

Volunteer Centre North Lanarkshire devised the InVOLve project aiming to develop innovative approaches to involve people with mental health issues and physical disability as well as young people who could be considered excluded into high quality volunteering opportunities.

26 beneficiaries were recruited to the project with 22 achieving a positive outcome when the project was completed. The projects methodology, support structure and learning have been included in the organisations mainstreaming plans. At the conclusion of the project it was found that considerable social and skills development was evident for each of the three target groups through volunteering. For some volunteering provided a route into employment. Advancements in skills, confidence and social interaction were also evident, whilst many participants noticed a significant improvement in their mental health. A report ‘Challenging Limits’ was produced by the Volunteer Centre North Lanarkshire at the conclusion of the project.

The contact details of the Lead Partner are listed below:

Lead Partner:              Ayr College
Person to Contact:       Patricia Wallace
Telephone:                  01292 293428
Email:                         p.wallace@ayrcoll.ac.uk
Website:                     www.equalemployability.co.uk