Boost for long term unemployed

Liverpool City Council has awarded Local Solutions a substantial contract to deliver the ‘Future Jobs Fund’ programme in Liverpool.

The fund is run by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) in partnership with the Department for Communities & Local Government (CLG). Jobcentre Plus will be a key partner in the referral and support process for ‘Future Jobs Fund’ employers.

The programme is primarily aimed at 18-24 year olds who have been out of work for 12 months, with provision for individuals aged 25+. Those referred to the programme will be offered training and work experience for a six month period.

Local Solutions will be working in partnership with a whole host of employers across the city from a range of industries including leisure and tourism, retail, hotels, security and social care, who will provide placements to support the delivery of the service.

Upon referral, young people will receive an Individual Learning and Development Plan, which will incorporate skills, job role and long term aspirations. They will also receive training toward NVQ Level 2/3, as appropriate. Participants will gain knowledge via an induction into the workplace, as well as on the job training and mentoring and tuition in health & safety and policies & procedures. Alongside this, learners will receive help with job search and support with compiling CVs, application forms, interview techniques and be assigned an individual job broker.

Local Solutions has an established track record of providing a range of services to support employment related programmes dating back to 1978 when we became involved in running the first Youth Opportunities Programme for North. Since that time we have devised and delivered a range of vocational programmes to train and support people back into work.

Steve Hawkins, Chief Executive, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to manage this exciting programme which will provide hope and encouragement to hundreds of unemployed young people, particularly in the current economic climate. The programme will help Local Solutions in its mission to improve lives by providing young people with opportunities to increase their employability for the future through knowledge, training leading to qualifications and work placement experience, with the prospect of securing full time permanent employment”.