Community Work Programme
SIF provided funding of over £3.3m for a pre-apprentice level - subsidised work placement programme that provides valuable skills and experience to support enhanced longer term employment potential.
Project Name: | Community Work Programme |
|---|---|
Zone: | Derry/Londonderry |
Category: | Revenue |
Social Investment Fund Outcomes: | Pathways to Employment |
Status: | Delivery Complete |
Funding awarded: | £3,324,364 |
About the Project
This project was an employment initiative designed to improve employability and creating meaningful pathways for those furthest removed from the labour market in the SIF Derry/Londonderry zone. It was aimed at young people between the ages of 16-24 (not in education, employment or training) and adults who were long-term unemployed or economically inactive and who may have had additional problems to accessing and remaining in employment. This was an innovative, community led, approach to an employment programme as it took into account the variety and complexity of barriers to employment and provided mentoring and social support to participants. Participants were placed with 45 host employers throughout the Derry/Londonderry area, which included social enterprises, environmental organisations, childcare providers and retailers.
The project composed of three strands:
- a placement with employers;
- accredited educational support and vocational training; and
- a tailored support programme.
Aftercare was built in to the programme, as mentors remained in contact with participants for up to six months after completion of their placement.
Key outcomes included 683 accredited qualifications achieved, 98% participants remaining on work placement after 6 months and 69 participants (58%) remaining in paid employment after finishing the programme.
Progress to date
This project has completed delivery. This has been a very successful project offering a new orientation through accredited vocational training, educational qualifications, paid work placements and bespoke mentoring and monitoring and personal support to 119 participants. Positive benefits for participants included acquisition of essential skills, accredited qualifications, improved employability prospects, reduced social exclusion and sustained employment. The project also provided advantages arising to the wider society including increased community engagement, enhanced partnership, an enriched living environment and improved health and well-being.
Impacts
Monitoring and evaluation of all Social Investment Fund projects is carried out using “Outcomes Based Accountability” (OBA). The below infographic details some of the key impacts of the Community Work project.
