The Chairman of Thanet Works, Cllr Jo Gideon together with Colin Maclean, Thanet Works Director and KCC’s Interim Head of Kent Partnership will talk about the work they are undertaking to deliver quality Education Business Links in Thanet
Minutes:
Colin Maclean began by describing the origins of Thanet Works. Thanet Works is the new partnership between Kent County Council, Thanet District Council and other organisations from the business, voluntary and community sectors. It is funded through the Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF), a new programme set up by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The WNF is providing £4m over the next three years to deliver a more flexible, creative approach to integrating employment and skills. Thanet is the only area in Kent to have attracted this funding and one of only two areas in the South East.
By focussing its efforts on those people in Thanet with the most need, Thanet Works aims to remove barriers to work, get people off benefits, raise aspirations and prepare individuals with the skills to embrace fully new work opportunities.
Cllr Gideon described how the process of continuous consultation with all sectors will ensure that monies are used to maximum effect, providing long term sustainable solutions to prepare individuals for work opportunities. The first phase of commissioning will begin in April and will create real opportunities for people in Thanet.
Q. Will this programme affect other funding streams, the Learning & Skill Council’s for example?
A. There is no definite information on this but Thanet Works is building a good relationship with the LSC.
Q. Qualified people in Thanet are facing difficulties finding employment. Can money be targeted at qualified people also?
A. When this fund was set up the UK economy was not in a recession and hence it specifically targets people with long term employment issues. The normal process of recruitment favours the well qualified and it is important to target people with little or no skills so that when the recession ends, they are on an equal footing.
Q. Will you be targeting key wards during the commissioning process? If certain wards are targeted then people in less favoured wards could develop serious needs if no action is taken.
A. Projects will be put forward and scored against certain criteria. They are likely to be drawn from all eight wards and will not be targeted.
Q. When can the Third Sector expect to be approached?
A. The first commissioning phase begins in April and the projects selected will start rolling out after then. Any organisation can submit a bid from 1 April 2009 but the Third Sector may not be specifically targeted.
Q. What’s happening with the China Gateway? This was supposed to be offering jobs for youngsters in Thanet, many of whom are out of work. The Chinese economy is also struggling with exports dropping by 17%.
A. While unable to comment on the China Gateway, the issue of long term unemployment is what this project aims to address.
Q. Steve McVicker from Thanet Earth is on the Thanet Works Board. How many jobs will Thanet Earth provide for local people? It appears that there is no control over the workforce at the moment.
A. Steve McVicker is very committed to working with local people, but the group structure means that much of Thanet Earth is subcontracted out. However Steve McVicker is responsible for putting the business together and is an influential figure as he controls the packing shed. He has been looking at transport barriers to work, particularly for young people working at Thanet Earth, and has provided a 24/7 mini bus service.
Q. Initially Thanet Earth stated that local people were not well trained enough. With training will Thanet Earth employ more local people?
A. With statutory agencies working to provide work-based or volunteering opportunities for young people this will give them the skills to access employment.
Q. How much money will be spent on training people to provide goods and services?
A. This depends on the business mix from the first commissioning process.
Q. Smaller businesses collectively are large employers of people. What help will small businesses be given to employ more people? Will business rates be waived?
A. The pooling of resources and a co-ordinated approach by all the agencies working together to provide training schemes through the Thanet Works programme, will help small businesses.