§ Ms ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed people have been referred to(a) jobplan workshops and (b) workwise and worklink by Employment Service counsellors for each region and Great Britain as a whole since April 1994; how 678W failing to complete their attendance at the restart course; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeResponsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from M.E.G. Fogden to Ms Clare Short, dared 26 October 1994.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about Restart Courses. I have set out the information you have requested in the attached table.It may help if I explain that in April, a new two week Restart Course programme was launched. This new course combines part time attendance with an external training provider and individual jobsearch activities in the afternoon.The course, which builds on the success of the shorter one week Restart Course, is designed to boost confidence and job search activity and there is an emphasis on making real applications for jobs and opportunities. A log of applications is kept and used a:3 a basis for review by Employment Service advisers after the course.Attending a course is not an alternative to regular job search or other employment or training programmes. Essentially it provides people with the opportunity to explore all the options open to them and give them confidence to take the next step back to work.People who have been unemployed for two years or more who refuse or fail to take up a place on an Employment Department employment or training programme at their Restart interview, are asked to attend a Restart Course. Those who fail to attend may, under Income Support regulations lose a proportion of their personal Income Support for a period not exceeding the length of the course.I hope that this is helpful.many of them were unemployed for over one year; how many attended and completed the workshop or courses.; what were the outcomes of the participants; how many had benefit penalties imposed for not attending or failing to complete their attendance at the Jobplan workshop or 679W Workwise/Worklink courses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeResponsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from M.E.G. Fogden to Ms Clare Short, dated 26 October 1994:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about Jobplan Workshops and Workwise1. I have set out the information you have requested in the attached tables.Jobplan Workshops aim to help people who have been unemployed for a year or more to compete successfully for jobs and opportunities. They will be asked to attend a workshop unless they
Job plan Attenders April 1994—September 1994 Table 1 Nothern Yorkshire and Humberside East Midlands and Eastern London and South East South West Wales West Midlands North West Scotland Total 1. Referrals to Jobplan1 15,578 22,747 22,890 91,055 17,095 12,164 23,327 35,790 25,949 266,595 2. Total starters 8,720 11,428 11,621 43,224 9,552 5,770 11,991 16,999 12,676 131,981 3. Total completers 8,188 10,514 10,689 39,884 8,793 5,294 10,968 15,715 11,559 121,604 Completers who agreed to follow up: Jobs 2,750 3,308 4,079 14,925 3,312 2,002 3,477 5,500 3,463 42,816 Training for work 2,437 3,155 2,576 9,914 2,766 1,260 3,467 4,286 3,645 33,506 Jobclub 887 1,400 1,433 7,046 1,490 972 2,432 1,700 1,680 19,040 Other employment, training and related opportunities 4,398 5,346 5,597 23,222 4,182 2,527 5,673 8,680 6,621 66,246 4. Total number of people with an outcome to follow up2 7,665 9,937 10,057 39,309 8,263 5,006 10,523 14,745 10,681 116,186 5. Number of decisions received from the Benefits Agency3 1,675 2,649 2,483 9,602 1,342 1,116 1,856 4,929 4,071 29,723 1This figure includes people who fail to attend the workshop they are booked for and are subsequently rebooked on another event. All people referred to Jobplan have been unemployed over 1 year except a small number (not obtainable) who have been unemployed for a shorter period. These people either ask to attend earlier or are from areas affected by colliery closures where special dispensation exists. 2 Some people will be referred to more than one option at the end of the workshop. 3This figure includes decisions where no reductions have been made (approximately 12 per cent. of decisions). Nationally around 88 per cent. of decisions lead to either a 20 per cent. or 40 per cent. reduction in personal Income Support for a period not exceeding the length of the workshop.
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Workwise Attenders April 1994—september 1994 Table 2 Northern East Midlands and Eastern London and south East South West Scotland Total 1. Referrals to Workwise1 424 1,836 1,617 1,599 2,183 7,659 2. Starters 218 734 700 805 951 3,408 3. Total completers 156 518 505 591 682 2,452 Completers who agreed to follow up: Jobs 91 365 294 351 255 1,356 Training for Work 44 198 150 225 209 826 Jobclub 5 44 55 80 46 230 Other employment, training and related opportunities 72 195 289 235 262 1,053 681W
prefer to take up a place on another Employment Department programme.In November 1993, as part of his Budget statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced two pilot initiatives to help people aged 18 to 24 who have been unemployed for a year. One of these is a four week advice, guidance and job search course called Workwise. The pilot, which provides 10,000 places and has run since April in five Employment Service regions, replaces Jobplan Workshops for people in this age group. The course has been designed to give people the knowledge, skills and motivation to decide and carry through an action plan by setting themselves realistic job goals and a route to achieve them. During the course people learn practical job search skills such as producing an up-to-date CV and where to look for job leads. They also receive individual guidance from the course leader about the other training and employment opportunities available to them. Although formal attendance on the course is part-time, participants are encouraged to put what they have learned into practice during the remaining part of the day; this includes making job applications.Individuals who fail to attend these programmes may, under Income Support regulations lose a proportion of their personal benefit for a period not exceeding the length of the course.I hope that this is helpful.
Workwise Attenders April 1994—september 1994 Table 2 Northern East Midlands and Eastern London and South East South West Scotland Total 4. Total number of people with an outcome to follow up2 122 550 535 588 556 2,351 5. Number of decisions received from the Benefits Agency3 85 258 225 140 538 1,246 1This figure includes people who fail to attend the workshop they are booked for and are subsequently rebooked on another event. All people referred to Workwise have been unemployed over 1 year. 2Some people will be referred to more tan one option at the end of the workshop. 3This figure includes decisions where no reductions have been made (approximately 10 per cent. of decisions). Nationally around 90 per cent. of decisions lead to a 20 per cent. or 40 per cent. reduction in personal Income Support for a period not exceeding the length of the workshop.