Progress Together – launch of the Work and Skills Board Delivery Model
People who are in receipt of working age benefits: Jobseekers Allowance; Incapacity Benefit or Income Support will benefit from significant investment and a new approach to helping them get back into work and improve their skills. The new delivery model - Progress Together – was launched by the Sheffield First Work and Skills Board on 5 September.
The Board was able to influence the Department of Work and Pensions and the Learning and Skills Council to invest £40 million into this innovative, new approach – the first of its kind.
Progress Together will deliver a holistic approach to tackling barriers to work and skills issues in supporting people through their journey towards the labour market key elements of which are:
- Engagement - Community Engagement / Outreach
- Information Advice and Guidance
- Skills - Vocational and Soft Skills
- Pre and Post Employment Support
Mosborough Borough
The Work and Skills Board has commissioned additional activity in the Mosborough area to provide access to intensive support to local residents as they embark on the journey towards the labour market.
Success stories so far:
- A single mother of two with a history of substance abuse was engaged by the project. Having rebuilt her confidence and discovered a talent for Beauty Therapy, she will shortly begin a period of study to work towards employment in this sector.
- A customer claiming incapacity benefit and a victim of a serious assault has been supported by the project to help re-build her confidence, improve her health and develop the talent she demonstrated on enrolling on a self-defence course. Her goal now is to set up self-defence classes in the local area. The project has helped her to gain a place on a course which will provide her with a teaching qualification.