The Future Jobs Fund

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

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