Future Jobs Fund Programme

In 2009 the Government announced the introduction of a new Jobs Fund as one of a number of measures that would make up a 'guaranteed offer' for all young people claiming on Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for a minimum of 6 months.

The Fund will create 150,000 jobs nationally between October 2009 and March 2011, providing additional help for young people (18-24yrs) and those living in unemployment 'hotspots' who face significant disadvantages in the labour market.

All Jobs are 'additional' jobs, a minimum of 25 hours per week and last a minimum of 6 months. They are all paid at least minimum wage and all have direct benefit to local communities.

Through Leeds City Council, Learning Partnerships will deliver 109 jobs in Schools, Children's Centres, Community venues and Sports organisations.

The programme includes a wide range of diverse and interesting opportunities to work with children, young people and families mainly but not exclusively within the public sector. All of the jobs will develop a range of transferable skills that will support a broad range of career options. Most opportunities will be entry level positions though some will provide opportunities for qualified people.

Jobs within the Learning Partnerships' programme are:

• Community & Family Links Workers in Schools, Children's Centres and Community Centres
• Site Support Worker in Schools, Children's Centres and Community Centres
• Office Support Worker in Schools, Children's Centres and Community Centres
• Community Links Support Worker within Extended Services
• Sports Links Support Worker

The Future Jobs Fund team at Learning Partnerships offer a full programme of support to the young employees staring with a "New Opportunities Experience" that address budgeting, presentation skills, transferable skills, confidence building and much more. Each Future Jobs Fund employee is assigned an individual development worker who will guide and support them through the 6 month. In addition to this, work placement partners are also supported to ensure the young person has the best possible work experience.

Some of the partners already involved and providing valuable support to the young employees include:

• Brazilian Soccer School
• New Bewerley Community School
• Leeds Rugby Foundation
• The Hunslet Club
• Home Start Leeds
• The South Leeds Academy
• Shakespeare Children Centre
• The Feel Good Factor
• Education Leeds Extended Services
• Ingram Road Primary School
• Chapeltown Children Centre
• Kippax Children Centre
• Cross Flatts Park Primary School
• Active Learning

With over 60 young people employed (Aug 10) feedback from both employees and partners has been promising. Some have quoted:

"I'm really enjoying it and it's been a confidence boost. I really enjoy coming to work and want to get up in the morning, I feel I can get through to the kids."

"Katy has been absolutely fantastic, absolutely no worries about her and if I had a job tomorrow I would have offered her it. She gets on, doesn't complain and is professional in her manner. This is coming from other members of the teaching staff as well. Everything I have asked her to do she has done and fed back to me."

For more information or to become involved please contact:

Debbie Banks | Project Manager
debbie@learningpartnerships.org.uk
0113 380 6714 | 07807 972 779