proNet gets a full page feature in the latest August/September issue of Bradford’s Here and Now Magazine which is published by proNet member MAD Publications.

Using photographs of a real proNet Bradford meeting in progress to illustrate, the founders of proNet Business Networking Jaimie Dobson and Vicky Endogan talk about how and why proNet was founded, what members get out of the meetings and what visitors may expect to see if they attend a meeting.

The article finishes off with forthcoming meeting dates in Bradford.

Jaimie Dobson, proNet co-founder explains further;

Taking out an advitorial in the Here and Now Magazine was a ‘no brainer’ really. The magazine is genuinely readable and one that is likely to be picked up more than once given it offers great content and layout. This coupled with a wide circulation of the publication across the city including selected Morrisons and Sainsbury stores across town, ensures that proNet will get great coverage and improved awareness.

You can order your own regular copy of the Here and Now Magazine or enquire about advertising opportunities for your own business in the publication by contacting Angela Riches of MAD Publications on 01274 420091

If you don’t have a copy of the current issue you can read proNet’s article plus others in the online version embedded in the page below.

Joanne Hainsworth who is the Skills and Employment Project Manager for Bradford Council, is a regular presenter at proNet’s Knowledge Transfer Slot where she champions the benefits to employers of getting involved with young people.

One of the many projects she manages is the Future Jobs Fund (FJF) in Bradford which is an initiative introduced by the former Labour government as part of the Young Person’s Guarantee (YPG) to reduce youth unemployment in Bradford. A key element of the programme is to enable young people (18-24)
and those in areas of high unemployment approaching 12 months on benefit, to access the labour market.

In this post Joanne explains what the FJF is and how businesses of all sizes in and around the Bradford district can bring a new funded employee on board for any community based projects they may be looking at.

The FJF was announced in the May 2009 budget with an aim to create 150k jobs, 100k aimed at 18-24 year olds 50k targeted in unemployment hotspots.

In Bradford New starters under the initiative will run until 31 March 2011 (finishing Sept 2011) and will offer over 650 local residents the opportunity to access the labour market.

The FJF will provide a wage payment to support the creation of additional jobs that last six months (all jobs created must be new, they must not replace existing jobs or vacancies and must not lead to an individual losing their job or a reduction in their contract).

All new jobs created must have a community benefit which is clearly outlined in the required job description and specification (see below for examples).

So what does it mean to you as an employer?

• This is an opportunity for employers to create a new job and train selected individuals in skills that will be relevant to their organisation and give something back to their local community.
• It offers you a unique opportunity as an employer to ensure that young people are gaining the skills relevant to your business.
• It offers the smaller business who is looking to expand, but not sure how to go about training and recruiting people, the prefect opportunity to take on a trainee (subject to community benefit).

FJF will provide funding to pay an individual for 6 months at £6 per hour. Funding may also cover additional costs such as Employer NI, CRB checks, payroll etc

At the end of the 6 months if the individual has developed the skills your business needs you are free to employ them. If you are not able to offer the individual a permanent position, and you are under no obligation to do so, you will have given them the opportunity to develop new skills, the confidence to have a go, support with their on-going job search and a recent reference to help them secure alternative employment.

Examples of Community Benefit

The following sets out three ways that community benefit could be demonstrated. It is not an exhaustive list, but a job with clear community benefit could include:

Social benefits – for example projects that:

• Engage with and/or support vulnerable groups
• Support crime prevention or reducing anti-social behaviour
• Improve the physical, emotional or mental well being of the community
• Improve access to public services for vulnerable groups.

Environmental benefits – for example projects that:

• Regenerate, renovate or restore public areas, buildings, houses and amenities
• Promote or support recycling, re-use, or energy efficiency and conservation
• Promote or support nature conservation
• Promote an awareness of and respect for the natural environment.

Cultural benefits – for example projects that:

• Extend or improve access to cultural, sporting, or educational opportunities for vulnerable or marginalised groups
• Encourage or promote understanding between different communities and/or generations.

(If you are a charity, voluntary organisation, public sector organisation Social Enterprise you are already offering a community benefit).

Get Involved

If you want to know more about this scheme for your own business, contact Joanne directly using her details below;

Joanne Hainsworth
Skills and Employment Project Manager
Bradford Metropolitan District Council – 4th floor,
Jacob’s Well,
Manchester Road,
Bradford BD1 5RW

T: 01274 432014
E: joannehainsworth@bradford.gov.uk
W: www.bradford.gov.uk/regeneration

The Dubrovnik Hotel in Bradford is the new venue for proNet’s Bradford group which meets fortnightly on a Thursday morning.

The launch meeting this morning got off to a great start with plenty of new faces including Sarah Godfrey from Jet Cleaning Services and Julian Thornhill from  Thornhill Financial Services. Also attending was Steve Donnison, a full-time MBA student from Bradford Business School, who sent us the following Tweet after the meeting which summed up the consesus of opinion from all those that attended;

…this morning was refreshing and worthwhile. Thank-you for the warm welcome.

Hypnotherapist, renowned motivational speaker and chair of the Bradford meetings, Gary Blonder; gave an excellent presentation in our Knowledge Transfer section on the psychology of networking.

Everyone came away armed with some great tips for their next networking experience.

Meeting Pics

Visiting photographer Roger V Moody from proNet’s Spen Valley Group took great some shots of the meeting which may be seen on proNet’s Flickr Stream

Were you there, can you spot yourself?

If you’re interested in attending the next Bradford meeting please visit the Group’s page on this site for future dates and instructions on how to book your place.

The Dubrovnik Hotel is the new venue for proNet’s meetings in Bradford and they kick off with an open day event on Thursday 1st July 2010.

So if you’ve ever wondered what proNet’s breakfast networking meetings are like or perhaps you’re already a seasoned early morning networker but are looking for an alternative networking format, then proNet Bradford’s open day on Thursday 1st July is an ideal opportunity for you to test the water and discover the benefits of a proNet meeting for yourself.

The meeting starts at 7.30am with open networking and closes at 9.30am. Attending visitors are asked to pay a meeting fee of £10 cash on the door as they arrive. This includes a full breakfast.

Our keynote speaker for the morning’s Knowledge Transfer Slot is renowned hypnotherapist and an exciting new talent in the world of motivational speaking, Gary Blonder.

Gary also chairs our Bradford meetings that meet on a fortnightly basis at the Dubrovnik Hotel and will be giving a presentation entitled “The Psychology of Networking” in which he will be sharing some of his proven techniques for maximising the returns on your business networking activities.

Gary’s presentation style is very entertaining whilst being highly informative, so this opportunity to see him speak isn’t one to be missed if you take your business networking activities seriously.

Book Your Place

We’re limited on space for this meeting so pre-booking is essential. To book a place, simply drop Gary and email at info@garyblonder.co.uk or give him a call on 07837 970745

More details about our meetings at the Dubrovnik Hotel including joining instructions, may be found here.