A Summary of DEL S Provision For

A summary of DEL’s provision for

individuals in Northern Ireland

Department for Employment and Learning Adelaide House 39-49 Adelaide Street Belfast BT2 8FD

Further information available from: www.delni.gov.uk or by contacting Strategy and Equality Branch on Tel 028 90257971.

Last updated May 2011

1 CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………….3

EMPLOYMENT SERVICE ………………………………………………………………5 Employer Engagement 5 Services to Clients 6 “Better off Calculation” 6 STEPS TO WORK – A ‘Menu of Provision’………………………………………….6 Step Ahead 7 GRADUATE ACCELERATION PROGRAMME (GAP)………………………………7 Childcare Allowances 8 PROVISION TO ASSIST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND/OR HEALTH CONDITIONS………………………………………………………8 Pathways to Work 8 Return to Work Credit 9 Condition Management Programme (CMP) 9 Workable (NI) 10 Access to Work (NI) 10 Job Introduction Scheme 10 Ulster Supported Employment Ltd 10 Parkanaur 11 LOCAL EMPLOYMENT INTERMEDIARY SERVICE (LEMIS)…………………….11 CAREERS SERVICE……………………………………………………………………11 EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE……………………………………….12 MIGRANT WORKERS…………………………………………………………………..13 TRAINING………………………………………………………………………………...13 ApprenticeshipsNI 13 Programme-Led Apprenticeships 14 Training for Success (TfS) 14 Childcare Allowances 14 Bridge to Employment 15 SKILLS SOLUTIONS SERVICE………………………………………………………..16 ESSENTIAL SKILLS……………………………………………………………………..16 MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP…………………………………………………..17 “Made not Born” - An Awareness-Raising Campaign 17 Management and Leadership Development Programme (MLDP) 17 Financial Support 17 Intro 17 Management Analysis and Planning 18 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FORUMS…………………………………………..18 FURTHER EDUCATION (FE)…………………………………………………………..19 Learner Access and Engagement Pilot Programme 19 Care to Learn 20 Local Learning Opportunities 20 HIGHER EDUCATION (HE)…………………………………………………………….20 Widening Participation in Higher Education 21 PROFESSIONAL AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT LOANS……………………….21

2 INTRODUCTION

The aim of the Department for Employment and Learning is to promote learning and skills, to prepare people for work and to support the economy. Its main unifying purpose is to improve access to skills and employment through education and training and work placements and to promote learning for social and personal development. This is designed to help raise productivity, and to play our part in increasing employment and creating an inclusive society by assisting individuals to access and retain sustainable employment, better wages and greater personal fulfilment.

The work of the Department is right at the centre of the Government’s wider economic, social and lifelong learning policies, assisting economic growth on the one hand and social inclusion on the other.

The Department stands at the centre of a wide ranging training and education network, with which it contracts and funds, to which it seeks to give strategic direction and with which it works in partnership. That network involves NI’s Universities, the Open University, Teacher Education Colleges, FE Colleges and training organisations, not to mention the network of Sector Skills Councils and a number of Non Departmental Public Bodies. The Department recognises that all these resources must be mobilised to work for the improvement of the economy and society and that this work often requires it to work in close collaboration with other Government Departments.

Many of the Department’s programmes/initiatives are delivered by the Employment Service through a network of 35 Jobs and Benefits offices and JobCentres, located in towns and cities throughout Northern Ireland. These are as follows:

Work-focused service to benefit clients

Steps to Work New Deal (Foyle contract area only) Employer Engagement Pathways to Work Disablement Advisory Service

Other initiatives managed from HQ locations in Belfast but which are available in most cases across NI:

Training for Success Local Employment Intermediary Service (LEMIS) Workforce Development Forums Essential Skills Management and Leadership Development (MLDP) including “Made Not Born” awareness raising campaign which is delivered at venues across NI. Education Maintenance Allowances Migrant Workers Widening Participation in Higher Education Bridge to Employment

3 As described in the introduction, DEL also provides strategic direction and funds activities delivered by:

Higher Education Institutions – Universities and Teacher Education Colleges

Further Education Colleges

Information packs are widely available on: www.delni.gov.uk www.nidirect.gov.uk

Or by calling Tel 028 9025 7781.

They will also be distributed throughout the 35 JobCentres and Jobs and Benefits Office Network and also via the careers offices.

4 EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

The Employment Service has two objectives: to assist people to move towards and into employment and to assist employers to fill vacancies.

The Department’s vacancy services are available to both employers and jobseekers at any location with internet access. The award winning www.jobcentreonline.com provide access to information on vacancies placed with the Department by employers in Northern Ireland. Additionally, www.jobcentreonline.com provides information on vacancies placed with the public employment services in the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and across the wider European Union.

“Touch-screen” kiosks are also available in JobCentres and Jobs and Benefits Offices allowing jobseekers to search for jobs by geographic area and/or sector. Staff are available to provide application forms and advice on their completion.

Employer Engagement

The Employment Service’s seven District Managers are responsible for coordinating all employer engagement in their respective Districts. They plan work with employers on a 6 monthly basis, organising Job Fairs, assisting with recruitment exercises, organising redundancy clinics and helping employers with recruitment difficulties.

A dedicated resource of eight Employer Contact Managers (ECMs) aims to engage with and encourage employers across Northern Ireland to offer sustainable job opportunities to the long-term unemployed and the economically inactive.

Employers are encouraged to recruit from those who are Employment Service clients eg individuals who are unemployed or economically inactive and/or to provide work placements. In some cases, an employer subsidy may be offered as part of the Steps to Work provision. Pre-employment provision may also be put in place to assist these individuals to compete for available jobs. This lead contact will work with the company’s managers to establish which measures might be appropriate for the area.

Nationally the commitment of five major retailers has been secured to work in partnership with the Employment Service to help long-term benefit claimants into work – these have been termed ‘Local Employment Partnerships’. Asda, B&Q, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Tesco have expressed their commitment to working with the Employment Service in Northern Ireland in order to help long-term benefit claimants back into employment.

Retail Managers have been encouraged to support Employment Service efforts in getting benefit clients into work.

The Partnerships include some or all of the following measures:

 Offering Work Experience to a given number (determined by the employer)

5 of local benefit claimants. Offering a target number of places for Steps to Work participants on the Subsidised Employment element, or providing work experience  Working with DEL and the Retail Sector Skills Council on the design of pre- employment training to ensure that it is relevant to employers' needs, and agree, when hiring, to guarantee interviews or jobs to local benefit claimants who complete this training.  Encourage their employees to volunteer to provide one-to-one mentoring for long-term benefit claimants to help prepare them for work.  Review their application processes to ensure that local benefit claimants are not inadvertently excluded by, for example, requirements for qualifications, or overly complicated procedures.

Services to Clients

The Employment Service offers a wide range of assistance to clients to help them overcome barriers to work and to move towards and into work. This includes an Adviser service in each Jobs and Benefits Office and JobCentres which can provide assistance on a wide range of issues including job search,

“Better-off Calculation”

DEL provides benefit recipients with a service which calculates (approximately) their income if they were in a particular job. In most cases, recipients would be 'better off' and in a significant number of cases the figure is by around £100 - £150 per week. This service is available in all 35 Jobs and Benefits Offices and JobCentres.

STEPS TO WORK - A ‘Menu of Provision’ Steps to Work (StW) is the Department’s main adult return to work provision. The contract for the delivery of StW in the Foyle and Lisnagelvin Jobs & Benefits office areas has not yet been awarded and New Deal remains available in those areas. A procurement exercise for the appointment of a StW Lead Contractor is currently underway and will be effective from 27 June 2011.

StW is a flexible programme which can tailor provision to the individual’s needs with the aim of assisting participants who are unemployed or economically inactive to find and sustain employment. An Adviser will help the more job-ready to move into employment at the earliest opportunity and will also provide assistance in addressing the employability needs of those further from the labour market. Through this initiative the Department has extended the availability of adult return to work provision to other groups not previously targeted. These groups include:

 Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimants who have been unemployed for at least 3 months. 6  Incapacity Benefit (IB) claimants.  Employment and Support Allowance claimants.  Income Support (IS) claimants.  Those in receipt of other benefits or no benefits.

Opportunities include::

 Personalised advice and guidance to help make the right choices.  Voluntary participation (although those aged 18-24 claiming JSA for 6 months and those aged 25 or over claiming JSA for 18 months will be mandated to StW).  Help to find and remain in work.  A weekly top-up may be payable.  Improving chances of getting work by completing a short training course or gaining qualifications.  Self-confidence and motivational building.  Help with reading, writing and numbers if needed.  Work experience.  An opportunity of a subsidised job with an employer.  Access to advice and guidance on self-employment.

Step Ahead

Step Ahead was introduced in October 2009 by the Department. Step Ahead is a waged strand of StW which will support up to 1000 new fixed term jobs (lasting for 6 months) within the Voluntary and Community Sector and Social Economy Businesses. It is expected that these opportunities will encompass a broad range of occupational areas.

Step Ahead opportunities are specifically targeted at those who have been on benefits and out of the labour market for an extended period i.e. 30 months or more. This initiative allows the long-term unemployed to demonstrate to employers their ability to perform in the workplace. The jobs will pay at least national minimum wage and working hours will be a minimum of 20 hours per week. Step Ahead employees also have the opportunity to undertake an accredited qualification/training course with a £100 bonus payable on achievement.

GRADUATE ACCELERATION PROGRAMME (GAP)

The Graduate Acceleration Programme (GAP) was introduced within StW in January 2010. GAP was developed by Business in the Community in partnership with the Department, Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster to help address the increasing number of graduates who find themselves unemployed as a result of the economic downturn. GAP aims to improve employability skills and help accelerate job prospects of unemployed graduates to help them move into work. It offers graduates meaningful work experience and a valuable qualification in a time when they may have otherwise been struggling to gain employment.

7 Childcare Allowances

For eligible participants on Steps to Work, financial assistance is available towards childcare costs incurred while attending Steps to Work provision. This is calculated on a daily basis and on the number of children involved.

Applications for assistance can be made by:

 Lone parents in receipt of Income Support (IS), Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Incapacity Benefit (IB) or Employment and Support Allowance who are participating on Steps to Work provision.  Partners of IS, JSA, IB or ESA claimants while the partner is participating on Steps to Work provision.  A non-employed participant whose partner is also on Steps to Work provision or other Departmental training programme where Benefit Based Training Allowance is in payment or who is in receipt of one or more qualifying benefits. Details on request.

REGISTERED RELATIVE No of CHILDMINDER Children Full-Time Out of School Full- Out of Care Hours Care Time School Care Hours Care One Child £26 per day £19 per day £14 per £9 per day day Two or more £48 per day £34 per day £20 per £13 per day children day

The maximum daily amount of childcare assistance payable is as shown in the table above and is subject to a maximum limit of £240 per week (£48 x 5 = £240) per family where care is provided by a registered childminder/nursery/crèche or £100 per week (£20 x 5 = £100) per family where care is provided by a relative. The maximum amount of childcare assistance payable per family is subject to an overall limit of £240 per week where care is provided by a mixture of registered childminder/nursery/crèche and relatives. The choice of childminder is the sole responsibility of the participant.

PROVISION TO ASSIST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND/OR HEALTH CONDITIONS

Pathways to Work Pathways to Work is an innovative approach to help people with health conditions and disabilities to consider their options for returning to work. The initiative is available 8 throughout Northern Ireland and is delivered by trained Advisers in each Jobs and Benefits Office and JobCentre. Those eligible should be in receipt of:  Incapacity Benefit (including credits only claimants)  Employment and Support Allowance  Income Support (because of incapacity) This service is not about forcing people with health problems to take jobs – rather it is about promoting work as a positive, healthy and realistic option and supporting those who wish to actively pursue this goal. Given the obstacles to work faced by people on these benefits we aim to provide:

 Early, ongoing support to help people remain focused on capabilities and expectations before more chronic health problems develop

 Direct access to a comprehensive range of provision that can address key health and non health-related obstacles

 Clear financial incentives for more clients, particularly focused on supporting the initial steps back to work.

Financial Incentives

To assist the transition back to work a comprehensive package of financial incentives is available to eligible customers. For example, an “in-work emergency” fund of up to £300 to assist lone parents meet unexpected costs during the first 60 days of their employment. Employment must be at least 16 hours per week, and prior to starting work the client must have been on NDLP or claiming benefits for 26 weeks or more.

A comprehensive package of support measures to help sick and disabled clients consider work, at some stage include:

Return to Work Credit

Subject to eligibility criteria, the Return to Work Credit is a tax free payment of £40 per week paid directly to clients (in addition to their wages for 52 weeks) who move into paid employment (including self employment) of at least 16 hours a week and earn less than £15,000 a year.

Condition Management Programme (CMP)

CMP is work-focused, health rehabilitation programme which is designed to help people on incapacity-related benefits to manage their symptoms, improve confidence and to assist in their return to work. It takes the form of short work-focused, cognitive and educational interventions aimed at helping participants to understand and manage their conditions in a work environment. It is delivered by teams of healthcare professionals known as ‘Providers’ working in concert with Employment Advisers of the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL). 9 Workable (NI)

Workable (NI) provides a flexible range of support to assist people with substantial disability related employment barriers, to find and keep work. It is delivered through a number of provider organisations, contracted by the Department. These organisations have extensive experience of meeting the vocational needs of disabled people. Workable (NI) provides the support and opportunity for people to progress into unsupported employment where this is the right option for the individual. Longer term support is available where appropriate.

Access to Work (NI)

Access to Work is a flexible individually assessed programme providing financial assistance to help overcome some barriers faced by disabled people in accessing employment. Support can include Special Aids and Equipment, Adaptations, Support Worker and Travel to Work.

Job Introduction Scheme

The Job Introduction Scheme offers employers a weekly grant towards the cost of employing disabled people during their initial period of employment. This can last for up to 13 weeks. The scheme enables a disabled person and a potential employer to work together to consider if this or work in general is an appropriate way forward for that individual applies. The scheme is available to people with all types of disability.

Ulster Supported Employment Ltd (USEL)

USEL is a Non Departmental Public Body which provides sheltered employment for severely disabled people.

USEL has manufacturing operations in Belfast and Portadown where it produces beds and industrial sewing products, as well as providing other contract services such as packaging and CCTV security monitoring. USEL is also a contacted provider for a number of DEL programmes.

10 Parkanaur

Parkanaur is a residential vocational training college providing training for people with disabilities whose disability prevents them from accessing mainstream Departmental training provision. Those people with disabilities wishing to access this training provision have to be assessed by the Department's Occupational Psychologist's as being appropriate to undertake this training.

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT INTERMEDIARY SERVICE (LEMIS)

LEMIS is available in Belfast, Londonderry and Strabane and complements, but is independent of, the statutory employment services. The Service has been attracting increasing numbers of clients due it seems, to local accessibility to professional mentors who have extensive knowledge of their area and the labour market.

Those who can avail of the service include benefit recipients (e.g. clients on Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, Disability Living Allowance). Also, out of work partners of benefit recipients, young people not linked to the benefit systems or engaged in employment, education or training can use this service as well as people not claiming benefits, returners to the labour market and ex- prisoners.

LEMIS providers have headquarters at the following locations and are known locally as:

 Ashton Community Trust, Churchill St and North City Training, Antrim Road – for North Belfast  GEMS NI, Shaftesbury Square – for South Belfast  Stepping Stone Project, Newtownards Road – for East Belfast  Job Assist Centres (JACs), Springfield Road – for West Belfast  Shankill Job Assist Centre (JAC), Shankill Road – for Greater Shankill  Derry Job Assist Centre (JAC), Butcher Street – for Cityside and Waterside  Jobs 1st, Upper Main Street – for Strabane

All of the providers listed are supported by local Stakeholder Forums. Following an independent evaluation of the programme, Ministerial approval has been given to retain the service for a further year (2011/12) and to extend it to 3 additional areas in July 2011. The new areas are Cookstown, Moyle and Newry & Mourne District Council areas.

CAREERS SERVICE

The Careers Services provides impartial, information, advice and guidance to young people and adults throughout Northern Ireland. This service is delivered by professionally qualified Careers Advisers based in Jobs and Benefits Offices/JobCentres and Careers Offices. The Careers Advisers have excellent experience in helping young people and adults make informed decisions about opportunities in education, training and employment.

11 The Careers Service has a dedicated website at www.careersserviceni.com. The website provides information, advice and contacts to help people of all ages make informed career decisions. It contains many interactive features and a number of multi-media resources that will enable users to explore the range of careers available. Other features include Find a Course, Latest News, University and College information, Parents’ Zone and many more. Careers Advisers’ contact details are also included on the careers website.

‘Preparing for Success’, a joint Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Strategy and Implementation Plan between DEL and Department of Education (DE) aims to develop effective career decision-makers, leading to increased and appropriate participation in education, training and employment.

This is an all-age strategy which has been developed around five key themes, improving careers education; improving access to careers information; improving the provision of careers advice and guidance; improving quality and improving professional development.

The Careers Service continues to progress the Implementation Plan of ‘Preparing for Success’ in all areas. To facilitate implementation of the Strategy the Careers Service has restructured into two separate Branches, one dealing with Operational Delivery and the other with the development of Policy and Strategy.

The Careers Service working with DE, the Education and Library Boards and Schools has produced revised Partnership Agreements with over 99% post primary schools in Northern Ireland. The revised Partnership Agreements sets out roles and responsibilities, a menu of available services and information sharing arrangements to support the delivery of careers information, advice and guidance. Formal Partnership Agreements are also in place with the Health and Social Care Trusts and Include Youth targeting those clients vulnerable to social exclusion.

From 17 May 2010 to 16 May 2013, the Department, through the Careers Service has contracted the Educational Guidance Service for Adults (EGSA) via SLA to provide an Out- Reach Adult Careers Information, Advice and Guidance service covering two main areas: Redundancy Counselling and Community Networking and partnering.

EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE (EMA)

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) aims to help young people, aged 16 to 19, have the opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. EMA offers regular means-tested payments of up to £30 per week to young people to encourage participation, retention and achievement, in post compulsory education, at either school or Further Education College. EMA was introduced for 16 year olds in 2004 and was extended to the entire 16 to 19 year old age group in the 2007/08 academic year.

12 MIGRANT WORKERS

The booklet, Your Rights at Work, provides an overview of the basic employment rights available to workers in Northern Ireland. In order to assist the growing migrant worker population, it is currently available online in Portuguese, Polish and Lithuanian.

Guidance for agency work-seekers has also been updated and made available in Portuguese, Polish, Lithuanian and Slovak.

DEL’s remit includes Employment Rights and this includes regulation of the private recruitment sector. DEL aims to protect the hirers and work-seekers who use NI-based employment agencies, including migrant workers. There have been a number of recent developments in this area, including:

 the making of Regulations in 2005 to regulate NI-based employment agencies;  the making of Regulations in 2008 to further protect vulnerable work-seekers, for example, giving agency workers a right of withdrawal from paid-for additional services offered by employment agencies, such as accommodation, without suffering any detriment;  the granting of entry and inspection powers in 2006 to enable DEL to inspect employment agencies;  Over 180 inspections carried out since 2006;  The finalisation of work to enhance the Department’s powers to investigate and prosecute non-compliant agencies brought in through the Employment Act 2010 - Whilst agency regulation protects all agency workers in NI, the Department ensures that a particular focus is placed on the welfare of migrant work-seekers.

TRAINING

The Department provides a guarantee of a training place to those who are unemployed and in the 16 & 17 year old age group; there is extended eligibility criteria for those aged under 22 with a disability; and under 24 for those young people who qualify under the Children (Leaving Care) Act (NI) (2002).

ApprenticeshipsNI

This programme enables learners, who have attained the minimum school leaving age and are in full time paid employment, to gain an industry recognised apprenticeship qualification. Apprenticeship qualifications are at Level 2 and at Level 3, and comprise a technical certificate, a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and essential skills qualifications.

13 Programme-Led Apprenticeships

This programme is an intervention measure during the current economic downturn. This provision acknowledges that the present economic situation has made it increasingly difficult for would-be apprentices to find paid employment whilst completing their training. Programme-Led Apprenticeships (PLA) afford 16 and 17 year old school leavers the opportunity to gain a full apprenticeship qualification in a chosen skill area, setting them on the path to career success. They access this through a combination of simulated learning and time spent with an employer on a work placement.

The Programme-Led Apprenticeship (PLA) provision runs parallel to the current employer- Led provision offered by ApprenticeshipsNI. However, employer-led provision will always be the preferred option for those following an Apprenticeship.

It is the Department’s intention to mainstream its PLA provision within the restructured TfS 2011 which provides training opportunities at Level 2 similar to PLA.

Training for Success (TfS)

TFS provides training for learners who have not yet found full time employment. The Department guarantees a training place for all eligible participants. .It is designed to enable learners to progress to higher level training, further education, or employment by providing training to address personal and social development needs, develop occupational skills and employability skills and, where necessary, essential skills development. It is delivered through two components:-

(1) Skills for Your Life To address the personal and development needs of young people who have disengaged from learning and/or have significant obstacles; and

(2) Skills for Work To help young people gain skills and a vocational related qualification at Levels 1 and 2 (Level 3 on progression) to be able to gain employment or to progress to higher level training..

Participant Allowances

Participants in both Training for Success and Programme-Led Apprenticeships (NOT ApprenticeshipsNI) receive a Training Educational Maintenance Allowance (£40 per week). In certain circumstances, allowances in respect of travel, lodging and/or a contribution to childcare costs may be paid.

Childcare Allowances

Childcare allowances are NOT payable to participants on the ApprenticeshipsNI programme, as they are in full time employment. 14 However, for those on Training for Success/Programme Led Apprenticeships, the maximum amount of financial assistance per participant per week is shown in the table below:

REGISTERED CHILDMINDER RELATIVE

No of Full-Time Out of School Full-Time Out of School Children Care Hours Care Care Hours Care

First child £130 £95 £70 £45

Two or more Children £240 £170 £100 £65

£240 maximum £100 maximum

NOTE: Where a combination of a registered child minder and a relative is used, the overriding maximum contribution will be £240 per participant per week.

Bridge to Employment

Bridge to Employment is a training programme that helps unemployed people (aged 18+) get jobs – whatever their experience of work. Training courses are customised and run in response to employer demands, aiming to equip people with the skills necessary to compete for new employment opportunities on an equal basis with others. Courses are provided mainly by FE Colleges or delivered by the employers themselves on site.

Participants on “Bridge” training courses develop the skills necessary to meet the recruitment profile for employment opportunities provided by inward investment companies and expanding indigenous companies.

“Bridge” is advertised in newspapers, JobCentres, Community Groups etc and applicants can obtain an application form and information leaflet from JobCentres. The next stage is an interview and/or test. Once the training course is completed a job interview follows.

Participant Allowances

 Benefits will be paid while the training course is attended.  Travel expenses, to and from training, are available.  Lone parents or guardian may be eligible for childcare allowance whilst in training. Details can be provided on request.

15 SKILLS SOLUTIONS SERVICE

The Skills Solutions service is an integral part of the Skills Strategy "Success through Skills 2" and aims to provide the employers of Northern Ireland with a learning and skills service which identifies and helps meet the training needs of those organisations. This service offers information and support and signposts the employers to the most appropriate solution to meet those needs.

Skills Solutions is a proactive service to local industry and seeks to help companies access all of the services offered by the Department. Companies are given the opportunity to upskill their employees by the provision of bespoke training helping them become more productive and competitive within their sector.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

The 1996 International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) showed that almost 25% of adults in Northern Ireland perform at the lowest levels of literacy competence. Essential Skills support is designed to enable them to improve their overall quality of life, their personal development, and their employment opportunities. Most of the provision is delivered through FE Colleges, at no cost to the individual. Applicants should apply directly to their local College or contact any of the following to receive practical support and guidance:  Visit www.knowhowNI.info  Text “more” to 60900 or  Contact their local college.

In addition, the Learner Access and Engagement Programme provides opportunities for non- statutory organisations to provide learner support through a contractual arrangement with a Further Education College. This Learner support service is targeted at adults who are not in work and who do not hold a qualification at Level 2 or above. It offers opportunities for a range of learning, leading to accredited qualifications

A range of qualifications are in place for Essential Skills in literacy and numeracy from Entry Level 3 up to Level 2 and ICT at Level 1 & 2 is now a third Essential Skill. Both local universities now recognise Level 2 Essential Skills qualifications in numeracy, literacy and ICT.

DEL’s Essential Skills Strategy is focusing on engaging employers and those people already in employment as well as targeting the hardest to reach groups in society. At present 31% of all Essential Skills enrolments are drawn from the most socially deprived areas of Northern Ireland.

16 MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

“Made Not Born” – An Awareness-Raising Campaign

This Department-led campaign includes roadshows and master-classes targeted towards Small to Medium Enterprises and Social Economy Enterprises. The events are held at venues across Northern Ireland and aim to show employers that with relatively modest increases in management practice, there can be a considerable increase in productivity and overall growth. The campaign title reflects the growing awareness that leaders and managers can be developed and are not necessarily “born.”

Management and Leadership Development Programme (MLDP)

There are a number of initiatives to help improve managerial and leadership competence in Northern Ireland. This is done by providing appropriate support for a number of executive leadership programmes for existing managers, and for the development of future managers and leaders.

The MLDP has been designed to help employers and managers - at all levels - to optimise every opportunity for growth and prosperity, by helping them meet their management and leadership needs.

MLDP is a portfolio containing a range of management development activities, each of which attracts bursary support from the Department. These activities offer managers and leaders in the private sector Small to Medium-sized NI businesses and in Social Economy Enterprises the opportunity to acquire skills, knowledge, understanding, competencies and attributes that can only be developed through carefully targeted development and guidance. The Programmes range from first line management skills through to strategic leadership. All the Programmes are provided by recognised management and leadership development suppliers.

Financial Support

Bursary support is available to eligible MLDP participants. Details can be found on the website www.delni.gov.uk/madenotborn

INTRO is an Entry to Management initiative, designed to improve the key management and leadership skills of young managers and thereby enhance their managerial competencies and sustain quality graduate level employment, providing enhanced levels of business performance and improved competitiveness.

17 INTRO provides quality management training for degree/HND graduates and shapes managers for the future by giving them a broad perspective on business and management whilst providing value and a measurable return on investment for the employers.

The Programme combines 4 weeks off-the-job classroom training, with a 20 week work placement where the graduates, from whatever discipline they come, have the opportunity to work on a management-level business improvement project with an employer, and to complete a professional management diploma.

The Department provides bursary support to employers and it is anticipated that 100 participants will be supported in 2011/12.,

Management: Analysis and Planning (MAP)

The Management: Analysis and Planning initiative (MAP) utilises the latest on-line diagnostic technology and the services of a professional consultant to help an organisation better understand what they are doing well and where there are areas for improving the effectiveness of its current Management and Leadership practices.

Targeted exclusively at Northern Ireland small businesses in the 10 to 250 staff bracket this fully subsidised service provides a series of customised business reports designed to encourage organisations to commit to the process of continued development through improved management standards. This initiative has the in–built flexibility to work around a company’s busy business demands and also provides financial assistance (currently up to a maximum of £6,000 per company) to implement the recommendations contained in the report’s Training and Development Plan.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FORUMS

The Department established local Workforce Development Forums (WDF) comprising Employers, District Councils and Further Education representatives in each of the new FE college areas. The six WDF’s will bring together the supply and demand sides of the skills issue at sub-regional levels to identify local skills training needs and to articulate a strategic response to those needs from within existing resources. The WDF can be contacted as follows:

 Belfast Metropolitan College – Tel 028 9026 5235 (Paul White) (Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education and Castlereagh College of Further and Higher Education)

 North West Regional College - Tel 028 7127 6508 (Colm Cavanagh) (North West Institute of Further and Higher Education and Limavady College of Further and Higher Education)

 Northern Regional College – Tel 028 79395238 (Nicola Rowles) (Causeway Institute of Further and Higher Education, North East Institute of Further and Higher Education and East Antrim Institute of Further and Higher Education)

18  South Eastern Regional College - Tel: 028 91276695 x 3040 (Alison Ormsby) (East Down Institute of Further and Higher Education, Lisburn Institute of Further and Higher Education and North Down and Ards Institute of Further and Higher Education)

 South West College – Tel 028 82245433 (East Tyrone College of Further and Higher Education, Fermanagh College and Omagh College)

 Southern Regional College – Tel 028 38397860 (Nichola Cook) (Armagh College of Further and Higher Education, Newry and Kilkeel Institute of Further and Higher Education and Upper Bann Institute of Further and Higher Education)

FURTHER EDUCATION (FE)

Further Education Colleges offer vocational courses and qualifications in a wide range of subject areas leading to recognised professional and technical qualifications. For individuals who complete their college training, the acquisition of new skills and qualifications increases both their employability and their potential earnings.

Local FE colleges have developed a number of initiatives which offer re-training to those who have been made redundant or affected by the economic downturn.

A sector-wide ‘Rapid Response Northern Ireland’ programme is being funded through the Department’s Innovation Fund. This programme, which is being led by South Eastern Regional College, provides a portfolio of services to support the needs of employers and employees across Northern Ireland during the economic downturn. It offers a signposting service to local companies and services and support provided by the programme includes:

 survival audits;  training needs analysis;  employability and personal development initiatives;  up-skilling and re-skilling opportunities; and  mentoring.

South West College is offering renewable energy courses to upskill plumbers, electricians and technicians in preparation for future growth in this area.

Learner Access and Engagement Pilot Programme

DEL’s strategy document "’FE Means Business” set out the Department’s strategy of enhancing collaboration between the FE sector and third party organisations, and in so doing, making best use of resources and expertise to increase levels of learner participation. FE Colleges are seeking to improve their engagement with the “hardest to reach” at community level to provide Learner Support. Provision is offered through the Sector’s main campuses and Community Outreach Centres, tailored to suit community needs.

Under the pilot programme, which is due to end in December 2011, local community based organisations, under contract to FE colleges, advise and support unemployed, unqualified 19 adults, who are experiencing multiple barriers to learning and who are willing to undertake suitable further education to help prepare them for employment or further educational progression.

Colleges, as autonomous organisations, are the primary interface at a local level when it comes to local delivery of courses - whether this is on campus or on an outreach basis.

Care to Learn

The Care to Learn (NI) Scheme addresses the need to provide childcare support for parents who are under 20 years of age at the start of their course of study in FE provision. To be eligible, a student must either be or become:

 a parent;  be at least 16 years old;  aged under 20 years of age at the start of their course of study; and  live in Northern Ireland and meet residency requirements in accordance with the Education (Student Support) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.

A student who is expecting to become a parent during their course of study may apply in advance to establish their eligibility for assistance. The scheme is open to full-time and part- time FE and HE students enrolled in FE provision. Further information can be obtained through the local Colleges.

Local Learning Opportunities

Information on the availability of courses in particular localities and in specific subject areas will be of particular use in NR areas. Partnerships will wish to note that DEL commissions an external organisation to compile a database of all education and training provision in NI that is accessible via the “find a course” section on the Careers Service website - www.careersserviceni.com

HIGHER EDUCATION (HE)

Completing a course of study within higher education brings benefits on many levels. In terms of future jobs, a degree can lead to increased earning potential, greater opportunities and a more rewarding career.

For those already pursuing their careers, a higher education course can increase an individual’s employment prospects and many employers understand the value of ongoing lifelong learning programmes for their staff.

Higher Education in Northern Ireland is delivered through:

 three universities: The Queen's University of Belfast (QUB), the University of Ulster (UU) and the Open University (OU) in Ireland;  two University Colleges: St Mary’s University College and Stranmillis University College ; and 20  6 Regional Further and Higher Education Colleges

Both Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster are working collaboratively with a range of educational providers throughout Northern Ireland in particular the 6 Regional Further & Higher Education Colleges, in order to widen access to higher education. Such collaborative provision offers wider local academic opportunities by providing a more flexible form of third level education provision.

Widening Participation in Higher Education

Widening participation in higher education by students from groups who are currently under- represented is one of DEL’s key strategic goals in particular students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those with disabilities and learning difficulties. The Widening Participation vision is that any individual in Northern Ireland should be able to gain access to education that is right for them, irrespective of their educational or social background. Learners should be able to progress to a level which fulfils their potential and to get proper recognition and respect for their achievements from employers, educationalists and the wider community.

The Department has been addressing this issue through a number of policy initiatives and a range of specific funding mechanisms. These include a widening participation premium which is paid to the universities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and a premium for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.

The Department also provides project funding to the universities for initiatives to widen participation. These are the Discovering Queen’s project, which is about information giving and aspiration raising among young people from schools which have a poor record of student progression to higher education, and the University of Ulster’s Step-Up programme. The aim of the “Step-Up programme is to provide an opportunity for disadvantaged pupils, who have low attainment levels and relatively low expectations, to improve their academic performance, self-esteem and motivation. It is hoped that, in turn, they will progress to gain entry to, and complete programmes of study, in higher education. A number of schools from Neighbourhood Renewal areas in Belfast and Londonderry currently participate in these programmes

The Department also funds a wide range of Student Support measures including means- tested maintenance grants, loans and allowances. . The Department has published a consultation document outlining a number of proposals to be included in the development of a new Regional Strategy for Widening Participation in Higher Education and would welcome comment and input from all interested parties.

PROFESSIONAL AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT LOANS

Professional and Career Development Loans (PCDL’s) are bank loans designed to help people pay for work-related learning to help gain experience, training or qualifications to improve job skills or launch a new career.

It has been operating in England, Wales and Scotland since 1988 (and was formally known as the Career Development Loan scheme), and was extended to Northern Ireland from 1st 21 July 2009. The scheme is administered on behalf of the Devolved Administrations by the Learning and Skills Council.

A learner can borrow between £300 and £10,000 to assist with the funding of up to 2 years of learning or 3 years if the course includes 1 year of relevant practical work experience. Repayments commence 1 month after the completion of training. In addition the interest on the loan is paid on behalf of the learner whilst they are studying and for 1 month after they complete the course. The scheme therefore allows learners who cannot afford to pay for their learning upfront to complete their course and preferably gain employment before they have to pay for it.

2 banks – Barclays and the Co-operative Bank have agreed to offer PCDL’s to eligible Northern Ireland residents.

“Childcare” is not DEL’s responsibility. Department of Education (DE) has responsibility for early years provision with DHSSPS as the regulatory authority.