Worklessness and Green solutions

1
Worklessness and Green solutions

• Helga Edström
• John Lee
• Economic and Social Inclusion
• GOWM

2
We are

• Central Government in the regions working with
  partners and Ministers to ensure that our region
  enjoys
• safe and thriving communities
• attractive places to live, work and visit
• sustainable prosperity
• fair and efficient governance
• And working with partners we help
• transform the way central Government focuses on
  places
• shape policies that deliver improving regional
  strategies
• work with senior people in Whitehall on policy
  implementation and policy advice

3
Economic and Social Inclusion

• New team in GO- June 2009-leading on DWP policy
  and the Economic Inclusion Panel (AWM funded)
• DWP Worklessness, Later Life, with Worklessness
  strand for Child Poverty and
• Social Exclusion employment strand (Care
  Leavers, Adults with Mental Health problems,
  those with Learning disabilities and those under
  probation supervision
• Close working with JCP
• FJF

4
FJF

• Jobs created must be
• additional
• for Young People/others at a disadvantage in the
  Labour Market
• provide salaried work
• paid at or above the statutory National Minimum
  Wage
• for at least 25 hours a week for 6 months or
  more
• of benefit to the local community
• delivered quickly by the bidder.
• Target potential growth sectors (Health, Housing,
  Social Care etc)
• Support a Green New Deal for Communities
• Maximise job creation opportunities linked to
  regional and local infrastructure and capital
  projects.

5
So far

• Monthly bidding round now on R3
• Secured in this region 7,516 jobs plus regional
  share of National bids
• Range of green jobs Shropshire, Warwickshire,
  City Region-22 bids
• Round 2 to be announced by mid September-5 bids
• Round 3 currently being assessed-7 bids
• All include green elements

6
Next steps

• Need to encourage strong regional bids
  particularly in the Green Sector and
  sustainable green jobs, not just hedge and grass
  verge cutting
• Sector needs to understand market and where
  potential is
• Sector needs to collaborate with partners in bids
  ( more is strong)
• FJF Speed dating event on 16th October- contact
  Michelle.Hogan_at_gowm.gsi.gov.uk to be added to
  invitation list

7
Tackling WorklessnessThe role of West Midlands
Economic Inclusion Panel
John Lee Assistant Director Economic
Inclusion Government Office West Midlands
8
EIP Developing longer term strategies to tackle
Worklessness

• Meeting the challenge set out in the West
• Midlands Economic Strategy by
• Building on the strengths of Partnership across
  the Region
• Identifying and championing good practice
• Identifying gaps in current provision
• Developing responses to meet those gaps.

9
EIP Ways of Working Membership

• Key Regional Agencies AWM, GOWM, HCA, JCP,
  Leadership Board, LSC, NHF, ROMO, SHA
• Local Authorities Hereford, Newcastle-under-Lyme,
  Sandwell, Solihull
• The Third Sector RAWM, SEWM
• Many other key organisations BiT, EMBF, EHCR,
  Foyer, Regional Equality and Diversity
  Partnership, Regional Skills Partnership, Trade
  Union representation

10
EIP Groups and Themes

• Main Panel
• Sets and Monitors the Forward Work Programme
• Ten Key Worklessness Themes.
• Standing Sub Groups Time-bound Task and Finish
  Groups
• Chaired by a Panel member or nominated expert
• No more than 2-3 short meetings
• Recommendations to the Panel.

11
EIP Key Worklessness Themes

• Developing the evidence base WMRO
• Health and Housing - Worklessness Protocols
• Support for Incapacity Benefit recipients
• Older Workers and Older Jobseekers
• Better Engagement of BME Communities
• Young People

12
EIP Key Worklessness Themes

• Championing Best Practice - through Worklessness
  Networks
• Equality and Diversity - proofing the Panels
  Work Programme
• Delivering a Public Sector Procurement Framework
  for Jobs and Skills
• Working with the West Midlands Economic Task
  Force Communities and Individuals and
  maximising opportunities flowing from the Green
  New Deal

13
EIP Funding

• Not a funding body, but can champion
• the most effective use of existing funding
  streams
• identify and promote key funding gaps
• Influence policy development
• So where can funding be found?