Following the recent period of recession in the UK the Somerset Strategic Partnership has upped its game when it comes to tackling unemployment. In areas which have low skills levels and above average worklessness Employment and Skills Groups have been formed to target issues and improve people's job prospects.
How is it making a difference in Somerset?
Sedgemoor
Sedgemoor has particularly low levels of skills and high levels of worklessness compared to the rest of the South West. The Sedhemoor Employment and Skills Group aims to create an environment where the local workforce can gain benefits from inward investment.
The Group aims to build an understanding of people's skills needs and the gaps in training provision in the area, and works with local partners to fill thses gaps. The Group works with organisations such as Job Centre Plus and the Learning and Skills Council, community groups and local businesses to ensure the quality and appropriateness of advice offered to local people and that opportunities for training and employment are promoted. It also supports people already in employment and employers to facilitate further training and raise aspirations.
One initiative the Group has adopted to establish pathways into work and training for local people is by setting up Local Labout Agreements. These are a commitment by local developers to recruit and train local residents as part of the development and construction process, as well as ensuring longer term job opportunities as a result of the development.
Morrisons have two planned developments in the area, during the planning negotiations Morrisons agreed a Local Labour Agreement to ensure the developments benefit the employment prospects of the local community. Negotiations with EDF regarding the proposed nuclear power station will be along the same lines.
West Somerset
The West Somerset Strategic Partnership recognises that a healthy and robust economy is essential to achieving a strong and prosperous Community. The partnership has set up the Employment and Skills Group to provide increased opportunities to employers and employees. There are two programmes in particular that aim to do just this.
The Starting Out Programme encourages employers to take on young people either on an apprenticeship or a placement. Employers will be encouraged to make a placement available for a minimum of one year and a subsidy will be paid towards the wages and or training of the employee.
The Graduate Lift Off Programme will adopt similar principles to the Starting Out Programme but it is targeted at young university graduates. Here the aim is to place young graduates with local businesses; the graduates will offer new skills and grow with a business, which in turn will help the business develop.
Both the Sedgemoor and West Somerset Employment and Skills Groups are ongoing initiatives and will continue to implement innovative projects to increase employment , develop skills and provide opportunities for business and enterprise growth in these areas.
For more information
For more information on the Sedgemoor Employment and Skills Group visit www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/economicdevelopment or contact Chris Sidaway at chris.sidaway@sedgemoor.gov.uk or on 01278 435275.
For more information on the West Somerset Employment and Skills Group visit www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk or contact Corinne Matthews at cmatthews@westsomerset.gov.uk or on 01984 635287.
