Future Jobs Fund makes a ton of difference in Wirral
Wirral is celebrating its one hundredth starter on the Future Jobs Fund (FJF) programme as the Council continues its mission to reduce worklessness in the Borough.
FJF is a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) programme that aims to create 150,000 jobs nationally for the longer term unemployed primarily aimed at 18 to 24 year olds. Wirral Council formed part of a combined Liverpool City Region bid providing 323 jobs under the FJF from October 2009. Jobs range from administrators, maintenance assistants, environmental champions to teaching assistants, assistant neighbourhood wardens and youth participation assistants working for social enterprises, charities and the public sector across Wirral.
Hazel Lawton is the 100th person to gain employment via the FJF programme after successfully applying for the job of Environmental Champion with Forum Housing.
Hazel Lawton said: “ I really do appreciate this job as I’ve been unemployed for so long. This is going to help me develop with the training I’ll receive and improve my CV. This is the first opportunity which has come up in two years and will give me real work experience.”
Chris Allen, Chief Executive for Forum Housing added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for those people who want to get into the job market and have found it difficult to do so. I don’t think that employers appreciate the skills and qualities of the people who are out there. We at Forum have found that, without exception, all the people we have taken on as FJF employees are committed, hard working, and have a ‘can do’ attitude. We are pleased to have offered full time employment to three of the current fourteen FJF employees and it’s been fantastically beneficial to the organisation.”
Wirral Council’s programme provides support to the FJF employees and their employer whilst they are completing their 6 month fixed term contract. Wirral’s FJF team help identify training, undertake regular reviews and are there to help support the employee with their transition from benefits to employment. Towards the end of the six months the employees receive intensive support to help them secure alternative employment when their 6 month contract ends.
Support from the Working Wirral programme has been added to FJF to help the employer cover the cost of CRB checks, PPE clothing or equipment the FJF employee might require or other more specialist training for their job role.
Councillor Jean Stapleton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning Strategy said: “The reduction of worklessness is one of the key priorities of our Investment Strategy which is why we took the decision to supplement the FJF programme with additional Working Wirral funds. It is vitally important that both the employers and employees benefit from the FJF programme and we are able to break the financial and confidence draining cycle of long term unemployment.”
