Gloucester WorksSupporting People and Business

in The City

Sarah DansonEmployer Engagement Manager

Regenerating the City

• An estimated £1 billion of investment planned for the City’s infrastructure over a seven year period

• The investment is anticipated to create 5,000 new jobs

• In 2008 City Employment and Skills Plan - Gloucester Works – is developed and seen as the primary vehicle through which to address jobs, skills and employer issues in the City

City Employment Plan: Leadership and Direction

• Led by Management Board of Chief Execs and Area Directors from: – City Council– LSC– County Council– Gloucestershire 1st– GHURC– Job Centre Plus– SWRDA– PCT

The Gloucester Economy• Continued decline of key economic sectors

(manufacturing, hospitality & catering, financial services)

• Employment growth in City is markedly slower than County and South West economy

• Increasing reliance on public sector employment

• Skills in economy predominantly at lower and intermediate levels (up to level 2)

• Higher proportion of unemployed and inactive benefit clients compared to County as a whole

• 40% of employment accounted by in-commuting

• Duplication, gaps and fragmentation in services

Challenges Faced

• Lack of confidence in the ‘Gloucester Brand’

• Disconnect between future plans and local perceptions– How will local people access employment?– What opportunities will there be?

• Changing economic climate• Building a ‘winning mentality’ and a

‘can–do culture’

CESP Geographical Focus

What Are The Key Components?

• Employer Engagement- Common approach: ‘no wrong door’

• Employer Offer- Integrated service for employment, skills &

aftercare- Central Jobs Bank: ‘bringing job

opportunities to a wider audience’

• Client Offer- Personal support and bespoke training

• Neighbourhood Engagement– Linkages between jobs, skills & other

services including welfare, health and housing

Client Offer

• Advice and Guidance

• Referral to training

• CV and Job Search Support

• On going mentoring

Gloucester Quays

• Gloucester Quays Phase One– Over 1700 people and 30 employers

Employment & Information Event in April

– 58% of vacancies in Phase One filled through Gloucester Works support

• On going recruitment support and training

Gloucester Quays

58% of people who gained employment at Gloucester Quays received support through the Gloucester Works programme.

Progress To Date

• Over 2000 clients assisted in personal development, skills and employment support with more than 1100 achieving formal qualifications

• 404 individuals have moved into employment

What We Offer To Employers • Support for recruitment including

Gloucester Works Jobs Bank

• Pre and post employment training packages

• Aftercare and continuing workforce development

• Organisation-wide needs analysis

• Sign posting and brokered solutions for employment, skills, business support and development

Employer Progress

• Over 900 employers assisted in training, recruitment and vacancy matching

• 250 hard to reach

• More than 1900 employed clients receiving training support