Agenda item

In connection with the Committee’s ongoing theme of Youth Unemployment, the Committee will have the opportunity to scrutinise the work of the local DWP Office.

In connection with the Committee’s ongoing theme of Youth Unemployment, the Committee had the opportunity to scrutinise the work of the DWP regarding the support they offered young people in finding employment and the links they had with other partners such as employers, schools and colleges. Mr Graham Metcalf was in attendance to answer the Committee’s previously prepared questions, by way of presentation and a period of supplementary questioning.

The questions which had been posed were as follows: -

1. How widespread is the issue of youth unemployment across the District?

2. What are the main contributory factors that cause youth unemployment in our District and what steps does the DWP take to address these?

3. What support does the DWP provide to support young people to actively engage in education/training and how is the effectiveness of any support evaluated?

4. What links does the DWP have to local schools/colleges to promote further education and/or training and what steps are taken to target those at highest risk of failing to take up opportunities?

5. How effective are the links the DWP have with employers in identifying suitable candidates for employment/training/apprenticeship opportunities?

6. Does the DWP assess the ‘sustainability of employment’ for young people and what are the main causes of young people not securing long-term employment? 

The Chairman welcomed Mr Graham Metcalf to the meeting and invited him to make his presentation to Members. 

Mr Metcalf provided the Committee with a raft of statistical data and indicators to demonstrate the issue of youth employment in the town of Gainsborough when compared with its comparator group.  Currently 23.8% of all claimants fell within the 18-24 age bracket.

Inexperience and a poor stateof readiness were considered some of the main contributory factors that caused youth unemployment.  In response to this the DWP offered employability training and provision.  They had up to 30 local employers offering work experience placements in Retail, Hospitality, Logistics andBusiness Support.  They participated in area reviews,consultations and were active members of the GLEP andEmployment andSkills Board.  DWP were also undertaking work in the local Academy, engaging young people offering impartialadvice ontraineeships and apprenticeships.

Regarding links to schools and colleges and work undertaken to promote further education and/or training, Mr Metcalf advised the college was one of their delivery partners.  They offered C.V.Workshops, PresentationSkills and CSRopportunities.  A school adviser had been recentlyappointed topro-actively engage with young peoplearound MockInterviews.  A partnership approach was deployed in respect of the strategy for NEETS and this was driven through the Employment and Skills Board.

Ultimately if young people refused to engage, sanctions were applied to any monies they were entitled to.

Members asked a number of questions of Mr Metcalf, in response they were advised that job seekers were expected to commit up to 35 hours per week towards looking for a job.  They were required to attend Job Club, they were appointed a mentor making the help offered on a more individual basis and custom fit.

Transport and an increase in agency use were a major hindrance.  The DWP did not support agencies who exercised exclusivity clauses.

The Chairman thanked Mr Metcalf for his contribution to the Committee’s work.