Pilot Employers in Lanarkshire are being urged to help local unemployed people access jobs.
At the launch in September of Lanarkshire's New Deal 25 + Pilot, the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Hon Dr John Reid MP, urged an audience of local employers to support the initiative.
He said: "I am delighted that Lanarkshire New Deal Strategic Partnership was successful in its bid to be one of the 28 pilot projects in the UK. These pilots will be crucial in helping people aged 25 or more to make the most of their potential and to pursue new opportunities for rewarding work. It is essential that employers play their part. I urge local businesses to get involved and make this initiative a success for everyone in Lanarkshire."
Run by South Lanarkshire Council and the Employment Service on behalf of the Lanarkshire New Deal Strategic Partnership, the New Deal 25+ Pilot aims to give more unemployed people the chance of real job opportunities while assisting local companies to fill vacancies.
Lanarkshire is one of only four areas in Scotland piloting the New Deal 25+ Pilot.
More than 2,000 participants will enter the programme over the next year. They are all aged 25 or more and have been unemployed for more than 18 months. They also live in the pilot project areas of East Kilbride, Cambuslang, Rutherglen, Lanark, Wishaw, Airdrie, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.
For every New Deal 25+ Pilot employee a business takes on, the employer is entitled to claim
- a weekly £75 subsidy for full-time employees working more than 30
hours a week
or
- a weekly £50 subsidy for part-time employees working between 16 and 30 hours a week
Both will be paid for a maximum of 26 weeks provided the employee remains within the participating company's employment for that length of time. Employers cannot make anyone redundant to make way for a New Deal 25 + Pilot employee and must adhere to the Government's National Minimum Wage legislation.
At all stages of the Pilot, employers are being encouraged to help shape the programme to enable them to take on staff who have or are working towards the skills they need. If they can't take on a new member of staff, they are also being encouraged to offer placements or work tasters.
The New Deal 25+ Pilot is different from previous New Deal initiatives in that if an unemployed person fails to find employment following the Gateway period, they are referred to the Intensive Activity Period. This offers tailored and intense support to get people into work.
Another, more innovative, element of the programme is called "Create Your Own New Deal". This was developed to give the unemployed person the opportunity to direct their own employment "destiny".
Councillor Eddie McAvoy, leader of South Lanarkshire Council, said: "New Deal gives unemployed people the chance of a real job and helps employers with the recruitment of new employees.
"New Deal 25+ Pilot is also good for employers. The employees bring with them experience and enthusiasm to work. So, not only does the employer get a subsidy to help with wages, but a motivated worker.
"At the end of the day, South Lanarkshire also wins. By having more people in work, we experience a positive knock-on effect on the local economy. More people in work means more people have money to spend locally."
Jim McCabe, leader of North Lanarkshire Council, where half of the pilot areas are, said: "This Pilot is at the cutting edge of new approaches to helping people back into work. North Lanarkshire Council is delighted to be working with our sister Council, South Lanarkshire, and other agencies represented on the New Deal Strategic Partnership in this exciting venture."
Robert Hunter, Participation and Inclusion Manager with Lanarkshire Development Agency, said: "This enterprising and innovative Pilot has a significant role in the developing of the Lanarkshire economy with employers playing a vital role in its success."
For more information on the New Deal 25+ Pilot, contact: 01698 454561.
Other Lanarkshire-wide New Deal Schemes - success rates:
| Name of Scheme | Dates | No of People Obtaining
Jobs (unless otherwise stated) |
|---|---|---|
| New Deal for Young People | Apr 98 - Jun 99 | 1221 |
| New Deal for Unemployed People 25+ | Jun 98 - Jun 99 | 99 |
| New Deal for Lone Parents | Oct 98 - Jun 99 | 332 |
| New Deal for Disabled People Pilot | Oct 98 - Jul 99 | 66 (into retraining or work) 55 (into work preparation) 21 (into further or higher education) 5 (into programme centres) |