Published: Monday 23rd April 2018 | 3.38pm
Organisations are being invited to bid for more than £4 million of funding to help thousands of disadvantaged people and long-term jobseekers get into work, with £211,221 provided for delivery in Cannock North.
The opportunity is open to a broad range of organisations, including Local Authorities, Colleges and independent training providers.
The money is being made available to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to give people tailored job advice and specialist support in the heart of their own communities.
The Employment Support Pilot schemes will also help equip low paid workers with the skills needed to land better jobs.
The schemes will run in nine communities across the wider West Midlands where unemployment is high and levels of pay are low – often reflecting low skill levels amongst residents.
The programme will help up to 4,500 people find work, with an emphasis on helping people into better paid jobs. There will be a particular focus on young people, disabled people and other vulnerable groups.
The schemes are part of the wider transfer of powers and funding from Whitehall to the West Midlands following the region’s decision to form a combined authority, led by an elected mayor.
The WMCA, which will be developing the schemes, is now inviting organisations to bid for a slice of the funding to help deliver more jobs support at a local level.
Tony McGovern, Managing Director at Cannock Chase Council said “I am delighted that people in Cannock North, especially young and disabled people, as well as other vulnerable groups will get enhanced support to secure employment and increase their skills. I am extremely grateful to the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Department for Work and Pensions for prioritising this issue in the District and investing additional funds.”
Dr Julie Nugent, the WMCA’s director of skills and productivity, said: “We are determined to use our new powers to make a real difference to people’s lives, addressing the things that matter to them like good homes, jobs and opportunities for the future.
“These Employment Support schemes are part of our investment into community-led projects that help more local people get into work and, for those already in employment, to upskill so they can earn more.
“We are keen to hear from organisations, especially those based locally, who want to work with us in connecting more people to the wide range of job opportunities available across the region.”
The nine schemes, which will boost the support already available through Jobcentre Plus and local authorities, will be set up later this year and run for three years in:
Birchills Leamore in Walsall, Binley and Willenhall in Coventry, Glascote in Tamworth, Shard End in Birmingham, Washwood Heath in Birmingham, Chelmsley Wood in Solihull, Batchley and Brockhill in Redditch, Camp Hill, Nuneaton and Bedworth and Cannock North, in Cannock Chase.
The location-based support is aimed at making it easier to engage with local residents and to encourage the communities themselves to use their existing social networks to help spread the word about the opportunities and support available.
Evidence suggests that neighbours, extended family members and others in the local community can be an effective channel for getting information to the right people.
They are also effective in helping to strengthen and nurture confidence that there are jobs available, particularly to those whose families may have limited experience of paid employment.
A week-long series of roadshows started today last week, to provide organisations with more information about the schemes and how to bid.
The details of the local Cannock Chase awareness event are as follows:
Friday 27 April 2pm – 4pm, Civic Centre, Beecroft Road, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 1BG. Attendance confirmations should be sent to: econdev@cannockchasedc.gov.uk
Organisations can also get information about the opportunities on offer by registering at https://wmca.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html
Further information is also available by registering at https://wmca.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html and at https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/25e30be3-debf-4224-bc3e-ab840b673f72