HC Deb 12 March 2004 vol 418 cc1800-1W
Keith Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which private sector companies or organisations in each of the regions of England have received funding for the Ethnic Minority Outreach Programme; what auditing has been done to ensure that the organisations are able to place people in work; and which 10 organisations or companies have placed the most individuals in employment. [156121]

Mr. Browne

Ethnic Minority Outreach (EMO) contracts have been awarded to public, private and voluntary and community sector organisations who have demonstrated effective links with local ethnic minority communities. Contracts with private sector organisations have been awarded to: 'Talent', delivering provision in Leeds, Bradford and North London; 'Reed in Partnership' in North London; and The Training Network Group' in North and Central London.

Jobcentre Plus collects monthly management information about a range of key performance measures, including job outcomes. However, it is important to recognize that the principal aim of the Outreach pilots is one of engagement with ethnic minority individuals and communities to encourage them to participate in the labour market. This means that a range of outcomes may be considered a success, from making contact with individuals or employers, linking individuals to the local Jobcentre and the benefits and services they provide; providing work focused training or other activity; as well as helping people into work.

All EMO contracts are monitored by the local Jobcentre Plus District against the targets agreed when the contract was awarded.

The EMO providers who have achieved the most job outcomes are:

  1. Business to Business—Leicester
  2. At Work (Talent)—Bradford
  3. At Work (Talent)—North London
  4. Pro-Diverse—North London
  5. Oldham College—Oldham
  6. Kirklees Metropolitan Council—Calderdale & Kirklees
  7. Indian Muslim Welfare Society—Calderdale & Kirklees
  8. Halifax Opportunities Trust—Calderdale & Kirklees
  9. Family Housing Association—Manchester
  10. SITU-Bolton