Supporting Young People Through Kickstart Scheme and WULF Project

Merthyr Valleys Homes and Unite Union WULF project Working in partnership to support young people through the Kickstart scheme, and help remove barriers to employment 1

What is WULF Wales Union Learning Fund The Unite Union WULF project supports learning initiatives in unionised workplaces where employers recognise the benefits of working in partnership with unions to up-skill their workforce. Funded by Welsh Government Has been supporting learners for over 20 years Helped thousands of workers to upskill and progress Despite the Covid pandemic effectively ending face to face learner engagement, the project still supported over 4500 learners during 2020 2

How has Unite WULF helped in the workplace? Unite is one of the biggest Unions in Wales with over 2000 recognised workplaces covering the full spectrum of sectors. Supported tens of thousands of learners over the years with training and helped organisations and employers with a wide range of workplace vocational training programmes. Flexible, innovative and responsive approach to meet the needs and demands of learners in an everchanging economic environment 3

Welsh Government Covid Response - Covid commitment to employability and skills July 2020 Delivery 40m investment to ensure anyone over 16 can access advice and support to find work, pursue self employment or find a place in education or training, and targeted at individuals most likely to be negatively impacted and is part of WG commitment to improving employment outcomes for those already disadvantaged in the labour market. Expansion of front line services Removal of barriers to self employment Recruitment support and incentives- to support young apprentices Training support for employers to upskill and develop staff Re-training support for the existing workforce using ReAct and WULF to find new or better employment, switch sectors and occupations, and access a wider range of job opportunities in areas of skills demand 4

Additional Funding to support Kickstart Placements The UK government introduced a new Kickstart Scheme, a 2 billion fund to create hundreds of thousands of high quality 6- month work placements aimed at those aged 16-24 who are on Universal Credit and are deemed to be at risk of long-term unemployment. In consultation with the WTUC, Unite WULF submitted a successful bid to Welsh Government for additional funding to support the Kick Start programme within Social Housing and Local Authorities Funding available for each job will cover 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. Provide learning opportunities/qualifications to allow for redeployment into key sectors Provide innovative collaborative approaches to workplace learning Provide opportunities to workers in isolation Provide individuals with advice and guidance Focus on Kickstart, Digital Innovations/Upskilling/Job Progression/Essential Skills delivery 5

Partnership with Merthyr Valleys Homes Since May 2019 we have supported 115 members of staff (even with disruption due to Covid) as part of the MVH Mental Health and Well Being programme delivering the following courses. I-Act Mental Health training for Employees I-Act Mental Health training for Managers Mental Health First Aid Safeguarding Resilience Conflict Management Menopause Awareness Our partnership with MVH goes back to 2013 which commenced with the establishment of a multi union forum involving Unite, UCATT, GMB and Unison. Initial training support included Essential Skills, OSATS and CSCS training for trades staff. 6

MVH were an obvious choice for us to partner with: The WULF Offer Good working relationships with multiple unions, recognise the value of social partnership working Their work practices are exemplary tenant led, fair wage employer, active employee development, commitment to the wider community through their Brighter Futures programme Wrap around training, to build an individualised package that compliments the MVH training programme for Kickstart placements. The aim of the partnership is to: To find collective solutions to common problems Remove barriers to employment Identify and fulfil training for skills gaps that can t be met by the employer Respond to the identified needs of the individual placements Develop and adapt courses to meet the needs of learners Provide them with new skills to further their employment opportunities in the future Promote the value of trade unions and social partnership working to younger workers 7

Partnership in Action The WULF project has been able to collaborate with MVH to assist with training- utilising our experience, specialist knowledge and training opportunities MVH and their Kickstart placements were then able to utilise their available funding to assist with removing other barriers to employment such as: Providing tools Driving licences IT training Recognised qualifications such as NVQs Through regular meetings we were able to respond quickly to provide support where it was needed this included introducing out tutor Victoria English to create a bespoke programme centred around Confidence & Communication skills. And providing additional training including Asbestos Awareness, Working at Heights, Manual Handling, Cat and Scan 8

Pathway to Success It s difficult to see how these individuals would have overcome the barriers to unemployment in the long term without the support they have received from MVH and the WULF project. The last thing anyone wants is for these young people to return to being a statistic on the unemployment register after completion of their placements, with little hope or prospects of obtaining meaningful employment. We are confident that the support provided builds a solid foundation for placements, providing improved opportunities to seek further training or access gainful employment following the conclusion of their Kickstart placement 9

Best Practice We are confident that the partnership between MVH and Unite WULF provides an example of best practice for other employers and trade unions to follow. Our position as a Trade Union will allow us to take this best practice example and promote it within our network of unionised workplaces and organisations within Wales. Unions have a clear role to advocate for those who may not have a strong voice in this instance young people who need help to get on the jobs ladder The Kickstart programme provides fantastic, practical opportunities for young people to get the skills they require to obtain gainful employment, that they would otherwise struggle to access without the Kickstart programme 10

The evolving role of trade unions We need to help young workers realise that unions are more than just an insurance policy, they are a means of helping them to progress in life Less than 1 in 20 union members are aged between 16 and 24 and over half of union reps are aged 50 and over, which means over the next 10 to 15 years we will lose over half our reps. We urgently need to address this demographic cliff-edge Young workers want to get on in life, and unions can play a key role in making that happen Take a look at the WTUC Young workers toolkit to find out more about engaging young workers: www.tuc.org.uk/new-toolkit-reaching-young-workers 11

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