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Working Links surpasses job targets through Cornwall Works Plus
06.07.11
EMPLOYMENT and skills experts Working Links has smashed its target of helping people get back to work across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
In 2008, the organisation was challenged to place 2000 people back into employment by the end of the Cornwall Works Plus programme, funded with investment from the European Social Fund (ESF) Convergence programme, co-financed by Jobcentre Plus. But with the current programme due to end in July, the company has already placed 2,634 people into work and on current predictions that figure looks set to rise to almost 3,000 by the end of the contract.
The programme aims to improve the employability and skills of unemployed people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and to tackle barriers which are stopping them from finding sustainable employment. Working Links engaged with an extensive range of community and voluntary organisations including Caradon Local Opportunities Partnerships, Volunteer Cornwall, Penwith Community Development Trust, Lizard Pathways, CPR Works and CN4C.
The project has targets to engage with people with disabilities or health conditions, lone parents, people aged 50 and over, ethnic minorities and people with no or low qualifications and help them into employment via training.
It has provided individuals with tailored training to suit their needs rather than a one size fits all approach.
As well as finding employment for individuals, Working Links was also challenged to train 5,000 people before the end of the contract. So far, the company has trained 6,585, which is set to grow to just over 7,000 in the remaining months.
Frances Brennan, Working Links’ Director for the South West, said: “We are delighted that we and our sub-contractors have continued to exceed our targets, which has led to additional increased investment and higher targets twice.
“Our sub-contractors and our own Working Links team across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have performed magnificently – the figures speak for themselves. Not only have we already beaten our original target by 31 per cent, but we are hoping to increase this to 46 per cent by the end of the contract.”
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said, “In these times of continuing public sector cuts, slow down in consumer spending and consequent redundancies, schemes such as Cornwall 's Working Links make a valuable contribution in supporting people into work or work related training, which then strengthens our economy.
“The unique feature of this outstandingly successful scheme is the combination of real knowledge on the ground of local people, their attitudes, history and personal challenges; and the holistic approach of the delivery agent."
As well as successfully finding work, more than 90 per cent of participants have benefited from post employment training once they have found their new job, and more than 65 per cent of participants are still in employment at 13 weeks.
The programme has also been working to bring together existing provision across Cornwall in Neighbourhood Action Teams, which have been coordinating existing services, groups and projects with a focus on areas of high unemployment and social exclusion.
The contract brings together a range of specialist providers who are able to provide additional support in the areas of housing, mental health, debt and the specialist providers are able to help clients with hearing or sight issues.
To find out more about how Working Links can help communities, call 0800 917 9262 or visit www.workinglinks.co.uk
