News

Employ ULV – The Way Forward

The last year of Employ ULV has been hectic in both operational delivery and wider strategic linkages. We have been hugely successful in getting people back into employment and training with around 700 job entries and over 1,600 learning opportunities – and there’s more to achieve.

In the past year we have developed strategic working arrangements with borough based employment and skills programmes; launched our Employer Protocol with employer facing agencies, training providers (including train to gain providers), and job brokering agencies to ensure a more seamless progression route for both employers and beneficiaries; held a number of successful Network Forums focusing on partnering and referrals, employer engagement, and ULV new vision; and received a very successful London Development Agency audit of our systems management.

There have been changes in our staffing team as well. Julie Khan, Employ Framework Manager has now moved on to pastures new at Redbridge Council and we wish her well in her new role. However, we now have a long standing Urban Futures programme manager at the helm in the shape of Liz Davies and our Contracts & Performance Manager, Sian Smith has ensured that our systems management and monitoring procedures are second to none.

So what’s in store for the future? Well we are currently working hard with our Steering Group members and wider stakeholders on a Forward Strategy, which is running alongside our embedded evaluation process currently being conducted by SQW consultancy. Subject to this evaluation, we are seeking continuation funding from the LDA and partners to continue to develop the Employ ULV Framework though we envisage some operational delivery changes.

Key areas for development include:

• New integrated & co-ordinated approach to Outreach
• Continued development of the Employer Protocol
• Review of consortia delivery arrangements
• Greater operational integration with SSCF programme (Haringey) and Worknet programme (Waltham Forest)
• Section 106 planning gain processes
• Expansion and development of the Network Forum
• Bringing added value to local authority Local Area Agreements (LAAs)

Wider stakeholders will, of course, continue to help shape our future, both through our operational meetings with providers, and through the Network Forum – we actively welcome participation in this process. We wish all partners a fruitful and successful New Year and look forward to continuing to work with you all.

Steve Delaney, Operations Manager (Employment & Skills).

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