Tower Hamlets Council have set up the WorkPath scheme. In its first year, it got 5,000 residents into jobs or training. WorkPath targets residents who have been unemployed for 6 months or more and provides employment support tailored towards to resident’s needs, access to work experience, apprenticeships or graduate schemes, CV help and interview preparation. It has a particular focus on groups such as BAME women, over 50s and those with poor mental and physical health. A Young WorkPath programme has also been launched, focusing on 16-24 year olds.

3,462 local residents have found work through Barking & Dagenham Council’s Job Shops since 2014. The Job Shops have been so successful that they recently secured £475k from Job Centre Plus to fund five projects that will help residents claiming out of work benefits to find employment. The programme includes support for residents in Dagenham after Tory cuts led to the closure of the Job Centre Plus there. It will also help young people aged 16 to 24 who are claiming an out of work benefit, as well as those affected by the rollout of Universal Credit.

 

Coventry City Council launched a Job Shop to offer local residents help in finding a new job. The Job Shop offers 1:1 support, careers guidance, CV and job application support, confidence building and interview preparation. The council works with partners such as the National Careers Service and Coventry Adult Education to deliver the service. Since the launch, over 35,000 people have visited the Job Shop, with over 7,000 finding employment.