Norwich For Jobs Phase 1 Project:
When we launched the ‘Norwich For Jobs’ project at the start of January 2013 we were seeking to halve Norwich youth unemployment in two years.
At the start of our two-year project in January 2013 there were around 2,000 young people, aged 18-24 claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA), registered as unemployed in the Norwich area. Our aim was to reduce this to 1,000.
Our Successes
The project, through hard work in building strong links with employers, has beaten its original target, and now sees figures of 18-24 year olds claiming JSA drop to a record low of 675.
Norwich For Jobs Phase 2 Project- ‘Changing 100 Lives’:
Starting in January 2015, Norwich For Jobs has launched a second phase of its project which seeks to ‘Change 100 Lives’, and has worked to get employers to do more to support the ‘harder to help’ category of young people.
Norwich For Jobs Phase 2 seeks to connect with young people aged 18-24 claiming Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support, as well as the remaining 675 on JSA, helping realise their goals and achieving their full potential. Norwich For Jobs wants to help change 100 lives of those considered ‘harder to help’ within a year.
Why are we doing this?
Young people who claim Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support are too often considered ‘harder to help’ and in many cases will need support and encouragement to address any barriers, so they may enter employment, including those with mental health issues.
Norwich For Jobs Phase 2 will focus its aim to help those claiming Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support feel like work is, or could be, achievable to them.
How are we working towards our goals?
Norwich For Jobs is offering young people claiming Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support opportunities that will bring them close to realising employment goals. Many of the sources of support available will seek to boost confidence and help structure young people’s lives that makes working feel achievable and rewarding.
Norwich For Jobs, through the support of like-minded employers will be offering young people opportunities to take part in work experience placements; attend work taster days; participate in mock interviews with real employers; be entered into mentoring programmes, including with the Chartered Institute of Professional Development through their local employer members; take part in mental health workshops and attend events run and supported by Norwich For Jobs that will allow young people opportunities to build confidence.
What kind of results are we seeing?
Since launching Phase 2 of our project in January 2015, we have helped young people claiming Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support achieve the following:
126 young people begin a work experience placement
8 young people take part in work shadowing and work-taster days with employers
5 young people take part in mock interviews and CV advice sessions with employers who have volunteered their time
4 young people sign up for our mentoring programme which we’re running in partnership with CIPD
21 young people attend our Monday Clubs, which allow young people to come in and discuss the support they need to allow them to move closer to reaching employability.
31 young people have begun employment after receiving help and support through our Phase 2 support opportunities.
These are early, indicative figures. We will report fully against our new goals in the coming months.
A Call to Action!
Norwich For Jobs is asking employers across Norwich to help us achieve our goals by offering work experience placements to young people. Employers can contribute to helping us ‘change 100 lives’ by taking part in mock interviews and mentoring.
Employers such as Serco are already on-board with helping us achieve our Phase 2 goals:
Chris Paul, Serco has said: “Work experience programmes can yield hidden talent and at the same time enable those challenged by interviews to actually shine with their work. I can personally affirm that seeing a young person arrive on our site at the beginning of a projected work experience programme shy and nervous and then weeks later emerging as a shining engaged young person is inspiring. Prepare to be amazed.”
Our Steering Group’s comments:
Chloe Smith MP, who continues to lead the Norwich For Jobs project into this exciting second phase, said: “We have achieved a lot but there’s more to do. I’m confident that the city community will respond to this new challenge and help change lives.”
Andrew Barnes, Senior Partner, Howes Percival: “We are very pleased with and grateful for the continuing support which Norwich For Jobs has received from the business community, which clearly wants to play its part too and is conscious of the fact that Norwich firms can really benefit from everyone’s talents.”
Caroline Williams, CEO Norfolk Chamber and NFJ Steering group Member: “Every young person needs a chance in life and the Norwich businesses are in the position to give them that chance. There are many ways that businesses can get involved to suit their own circumstances. Working with young people in this way is also a great way to develop skills within the business. We would encourage you to take that important first step and find out more”
