Threshold Initiative for Meaningful Employment
Staff
T.I.M.E.
News Release
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| This
project aims to provide those who
lack relevant work experience and qualifications as a result of
learning
disabilities and aspergers syndrome with opportunities to develop their
basic
skills level’s, improve their social
skills and increase their self confidence & self esteem to enable
them to take
positive steps to meaningful employment. 30 beneficiaries will be recruited from South Lanarkshire and the East end of Glasgow all of whom will be at risk of long term joblessness based on their lack of qualifications and work experience which are the result of personal difficulties. At least a third of beneficiaries will suffer from aspergers syndrome whilst the remainder will face mild to medium learning disabilities that prevent full and sustained participation in employment and learning opportunities. The wider challenges faced by that target group in terms of a lack of basic social skills resulting in a lack of meaningful interaction with others and the misconceptions that wider society may hold have been incorporated into the content of this project. Beneficiaries will have the opportunity to access an integrated package of support include: pre-vocational support through STEPs to Excellence programme, their choice of vocational training (Introductory Computing Skills, ECDL, Food Preparation & Food Hygiene or gardening), 4 week work placement programmes and intensive job search support all of which will be complemented by financial allowances and ongoing guidance, support and encouragement. All beneficiaries will undertake learning needs assessments after formal recruitment to the project which will inform their development plan for training, work experience and learning and financial support. These plans will be reviewed on an ongoing basis within individuals to ensure that they continue to progress towards their goals. An important element of this project is the comprehensive job search support programme which will aim to break down significant barriers to securing employment. This will include: labour market research, referrals to employment agencies, help with adverts, application form and CVs and the opportunity to access an interview supporter to help aid communication at interviews. Another important element of the programme is the awareness raising activities to occur with employers where partners will help employers better accommodate those with learning disabilities and aspergers and also realize the valuable potential that this group have within the workplace. Beneficiaries will work towards attaining a qualification in their selected course of study and obtaining a certificate from the Pacific Institute as a result of participation on the STEPs programme however other less tangible outcomes will be derived by participants including: increased self confidence and self esteem, enhanced social and communications skills and work related experience. Overall beneficiaries will be more employable by the end of their time on the project and if they are not already in employment on conclusion of this project will be within the process of securing employment. Specifically of the 30 undertaking training and support: 15 will move into employment, 12 will move into further training and education and a number will be partaking in voluntary work as a direct result. The need for this activity is based upon the requirement to move a group who are currently economic inactive and willing to work closer to the labour market by providing a package of support which is suited to their unique needs. There is a distinct requirement for supporting routes into employment within South Lanarkshire and East Glasgow as the latest unemployment statistics for these regions reveal that within Glasgow unemployment is 1.8% higher than the Scottish average of 3.3% and for South Lanarkshire the rate is only marginally lower than the Scottish average at 2.9% The slightly more optimistic figure for South Lanarkshire masks the fact that 38% of the population are not of working age indicating that there is a requirement to push those who are economically inactive within the working age population back into work. Those targeted represent a group generally underrepresented in employment initiatives based on their personal circumstance which can be reflected in the statistics which highlight that: Staggeringly research also pinpoints the fact that only 6% of this cohort are in full time employment. Furthermore of the 7 million people of working age with disabilities 49% were in employment in 2003 in comparison with 81% of the working age population with no disability. The combination of a high incidence of no qualifications and a general lack of appropriate experience and the negative assumptions held by employers of the group it is not surprising that this group tend to face greater economic exclusion. This project will address all three of these challenges through skills development, work experience and awareness raising with employers to develop a pathway to meaningful employment for the cohort. T.I.M.E reflects the overall aim of measure 1.1 Raising Employability through engaging with 30 individuals at greatest risk of moving into long term joblessness. Those targeted are likely to lack qualifications, relevant work experience and have a history of unsustainable and negative employment experiences [top of page] |
| Kirk-run
project wins
£79,000 of EU funding ‘TIME’ set to benefit
South Lanarkshire and Glasgow’s East end Established over ten
years ago, Threshold South Lanarkshire
is a specialist project operated by Crossreach (the Church of
Scotland’s Social
Care Council) and based at Wellhall Road, Hamilton.
It provides a community support service for adults
with learning
disabilities, enabling them to be integrated and included in the wider
community. This involves enabling access
to colleges, libraries, social venues, shops, sports activities,
churches and
employment. TIME aims to provide an
opportunity
for those with learning difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders to
develop
their basic skills levels. This work is
intended to address the lack of relevant work experience and
qualifications
that can impact upon this group. Thirty individuals
will be recruited to TIME from the East
end of Glasgow and from South Lanarkshire, all of whom will be at risk
from
long-term joblessness. The support
package available will include a choice of vocational training
programmes, a
4-week work placement programme and intensive job search support. “Some people think
of getting a job as something that can very easily be done, but
entering the
world of work can be a massive challenge for those living with
Asperger’s
Syndrome or learning difficulties. TIME
offers those who might otherwise never even apply for a job the
opportunity to
access training and get into the jobs market. “Comprehensive
job search support is a very important element
of this programme, and this will include help with CVs and application
forms,
referrals to employment agencies and access to an interview supporter
to aid
communication at interviews. “Of the 30
beneficiaries, our aim is that 15 should move
into employment after the end of their year in TIME, with 12
undertaking
further education and training and the remainder moving into voluntary
work.” |
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