Future Jobs Fund Brief

The Future Jobs Fund (FJF) has been set up as a response to the recession and rising levels of unemployment – in particular amongst 18-24 year olds. Its aim is to avoid, or minimise, the impact of long-term unemployment for individuals and for the future of the economy. Consequently it only covers individuals on Job Seekers Allowance. It is a Great Britain wide programme. The Future Jobs Fund is designed to create jobs for long-term unemployed
young people.

Building on our existing track record of successfully delivering the Future Jobs Fund, Groundwork South West is proposing to be the lead accountable body for a Future Jobs Fund bid covering the cultural industries in the South West. We see this as an opportunity for cultural or creative
organisations – working in any discipline, fine art, theatre, dance etc. – to be part of the next, round two, bid to the Department of Work and
Pensions. As lead accountable body, Groundwork will pay the wages paid to FJF employees and monitor the overall programme and placements, while line-management will reside with the individuals’ placement organisation. Organisations can apply to have one or more FJF employees. This is a great opportunity to bring people in to help support your organisation’s work, and to help develop experience and skills for the individuals involved.

Groundwork has already successfully bid for and is delivering FJF Round One in Bristol, Devon and Cornwall and nationally, in support of our
environmental and community-based work. We are therefore in a strong position to bid for round two.

We are already in the development stage with several organisations in Plymouth and Bristol, but we are extending this to cover the whole of the
South West region.

As a minimum, the bid needs to demonstrate that:

• At least 30 jobs will be created per bid (total number from a collection of organisations).
• Jobs will last for 6 months, provide work for 25 hours or more per week and be paid at least at the national minimum wage.
• All jobs are suitable for long term unemployed young people between 18 and 24.
• Jobs are additional – i.e. they would not exist without jobs fund funding and are sustainable;
• The work done will benefit local communities.
• The work will be underway quickly.

The secondary criteria which is used

• The extent to which jobs fund funding will be supplemented by other funding.
• The creation of green jobs or support for social enterprise.
• Previous successful experience of delivering jobs of this type, ideally those which have led to sustained employment

DWP want all recruitment to be handled through Jobcentre Plus. If individuals self present to the employer or are identified directly, Jobcentre Plus will need to confirm their eligibility.

Future Jobs Fund employers will have the opportunity to interview potential candidates, will not be required to take on any particular individual
referred to them but will have to give reasons for declining and provide feedback.

Organisations should in the first instance contact Ray White, Strategic Arts Coordinator (ray.white@groundwork.org.uk 01752 217721 ext 332) or Mark Clegg, Employment Development Manager (mark.clegg@groundwork.org.uk 01752 217721 ext 372), to discuss the process and the potential position(s) within their organisation. Deadlines are tight and so we want to start the discussion and process as soon as possible.

Should the bid be successful the employment process would then proceed in April 2010.