Gateshead Council

Making it Local Delivering Employability Services

Heather LeeEconomic Development Manager

Environment, Economic Development & Regeneration

Gateshead

Gateshead Economy

• Business base is mainly SME’s employing fewer than 20 people

• Key sectors are in manufacturing and retail

• High proportion of people with low or no skills

• Limited number of people with high level skills

• High levels of out of work benefit claimants

Employment Support - Background

• Gateshead has delivered employability support for unemployed residents since 1997

• Largely externally funded until 2012, now mainline Council funded

• Provides IAG for around 3,500 residents annually

• Has assisted over 13,000 unemployed residents into employment since its start.

Why provide employment support services

• Political will was there to support rising unemployment figures

• Strategic role of Council played a major role in establishing excellent working partnerships with key stakeholders

• Set up in Gateshead to mirror work of Action teams in disadvantaged areas through Single Regeneration Budget

• Excellent links into communities for engaging with unemployed residents

• Links to employers through planning, procurement, inward investment and business support

Local Authority role in Welfare to Work

• Welfare to Work Changes

• Fit for Future

• Private Sector Trading

• Financial Viability

• Benefits to Residents

• Lessons Learnt

Striking a balance

• Deliverer of services

• Strategic influencer

• Partnership Player

• An example, under the microscope– Trinity Square development

Being more joined up

• Employer Engagement & recruitment

• Sub contracting

• Co-location

• Collaboration to maximise resources and impact