The team is aware that many clients will lack the skills or general education needed to do the jobs that are available, due to inadequate training or because their skills are redundant and/or they may have social problems which represent barriers to employment and training such as disability, alcoholism or homelessness.

To address these issues the team will utilise a range of interventions such as vocational training, careers guidance, core skills training, personal development, work experience, in work benefit advice, life coaching, condition management and financial assistance to help individuals progress into the world of work.

To assist employers the team will offer a full recruitment support package which includes vacancy management, assistance with recruitment and selection and the development/ delivery of employer specific training programmes and employment grants.

For the new operational year the team will focus on delivering uniquely tailored services to meet individual client’s needs.
Services 2005-2006

Action Team for Jobs

Action Team for Jobs is a government initiative designed to help the most disadvantaged individuals in the community move from welfare to work. The main vehicle used to achieve these outcomes is a flexible discretionary fund which can be used to help people overcome the barriers which prevent them from entering the job market such as skills deficits, initial travel to work costs, essential clothing/ equipment, debt, health problems. The flexible nature of the fund allows individuals to access a unique range of internal and external services to support their transition from benefit dependency into the world of work.

Employment Access

This flexible financial package will follow a client from unemployment into work. The package includes pre-employment support, job specific training, in-work development and short-term wage subsidies for potential employers.

Employer Led Training

The team will continue to build on its reputation for the successful delivery of customised employer led training projects. The experience gained through working in partnership with a range of employers such as Glasgow City Council Direct & Care Services, Craegmoor and Thistle Care Nursing Homes will be utilised to extend delivery to other Glasgow City Council departments and businesses experiencing recruitment issues.

The development of a new partnership with Scottish Association for Mental Welfare (SAMH) is currently underway to train SIP residents for forthcoming support workers job opportunities with SAMH.

Money Matters

This service provides independent money advice to clients such as comprehensive in work benefit checks, money/budgeting advice and support, advice on a wide range of benefits and information on how training courses/allowances affect income and benefits.

Positive Futures

Two Key Workers, funded by Careers Scotland and Castlemilk SIP work in partnership with Careers Scotland and the Learning and Employability Team to support young people aged 16-17, who are excluded, or in danger of becoming excluded, in order to help them progress into mainstream education, training and employment.

Castlemilk Care in Partnership

This pilot course delivered by Langside College in partnership with CEDA will complete in August 2005, by which time it is anticipated that participants will be ready to move into employment or further training within the care sector. A further ESF bid to continue the project for a second year has been submitted.

Construction Related Services

CEDA will continue to develop and deliver a wide range of projects and services which enable residents to access training and employment opportunities within the Construction Sector. Partnering agreements and tight labour clauses with contractors and partner organisations will maximise opportunities arising from city-wide developments.

CEDA Construction Squadbank

Clients registering with the CEDA Squadbank will have access to industry-certificated training, CITB preparation and testing, upskilling and self-employment and business growth opportunities

Pre-apprenticeship Training

The programme will train young people to help them compete for and secure an apprenticeship in the construction industry by developing their skills and giving them hands on experience of the rigors of working on site. We will continue to work with the Glasgow Colleges Network to provide skill sector specific training for young people through the Building Inclusion and Building Glasgow’s People Projects.

Resource Centre

Our resource centre is fully equipped to allow clients to access up to date information on employment, training and education opportunities. Throughout the day employability advisors will be on hand to provide guidance, support and practical assistance with CV compilation, application forms, letters and interview techniques. Training in the use of the internet and e-mail are available in the computer suite.

Partnerships

The team will further existing partnerships whilst at the same time taking a proactive stance in identifying and nurturing new partnership opportunities at a local, city and national level in order to enhance the service provision for the benefit of service users. Ongoing review of services and resources will be undertaken to identify gaps in service provision and opportunities to attract additional funding will be identified and pursued. Our partners in this will be drawn from the voluntary, statutory and private sectors and we will work in unison with citywide and national initiatives like the Welfare to Work Forum, Equal Access Strategy, Working for Health in Glasgow, and Jobcentre Plus on the delivery of the governments Welfare to Work programmes.

Developments

Initiatives for young people

We will continue to work in partnership with key stakeholders and agencies that provide specialist support to develop a range of innovative interventions to prepare and support young people to progress into sustainable employment. We are currently researching and developing an innovative new project with Impact Arts, which will enable young people to increase their confidence and employability skills. In partnership with external agencies we will source Modern Apprenticeships which provide young people with nationally recognised qualifications in areas such as Business Administration, Customer Service and Information Technology.

Skillbuild

Funded by Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, Skillbuild is a new LDC Partnership project, designed to address the skills shortages currently faced by the Construction Industry. The project aims to provide training in the construction industry and facilitate entry into employment. Building on the successful delivery of similar partnership projects, such as Glasgow Harbour and City Science, CEDA will lead on the development and delivery of this innovative project. In partnership with Glasgow Housing Association, Jobcentre Plus and Construction Glasgow, the project team will be tasked with maximising opportunities deriving from the GHA Investment Programme.

Employers Forum

In partnership with the business support team we hope to establish an Employers Forum to support business development and share best practice, whilst at the same time raise employer’s awareness of the importance of corporate responsibility for the delivery of the social justice agenda.