Future Jobs Fund: Invitation to Community Groups
and Social Enterprises in the Western Isles
I am writing to clarify the programme available to social enterprises, community groups and others which Third Sector Hebrides are delivering in the Western Isles.
First, we put together a programme which is aimed at giving 20 young people life chances of six months employment with employers who want to engage with our Partnership. Over the last two months, over 10 individuals have gone into new work and another 10 posts are in process of being filled. The employing organisations get an employee at no cost to themselves for six months for agreed wages and national insurance. This accounts for at least 63% per capita of the funds we received. This is agreed up front.
After recruitment, when the needs of both the employer and employee can be more properly assessed, there is room for further discussion on what additional intervention support is required, and this may vary from individual case to individual case. Around 27% of our programme resources, on average, are available for a mix of support arrangements which require, however, to be spent on eligible costs.
In total, therefore, 90% of available resources are utilised directly to make the Future Jobs Fund a success. Only around 10% are used to meet delivery costs of running the programme. This is not only normal and reasonable; it is also spent within the Western Isles economy.
We always listen to our customers, whether they be individuals or community organisations, and continually seek to be better and do more. In the next year we expect to be able to expand the programme to 40 jobs, which will be a positive achievement if we can work together to deliver that. We are happy to hear from any organisation, social business or enterprise, whether they are in Barra, Uist, Harris or Lewis, which wants to make a positive contribution to this programme and the lives of young people.
Third Sector Hebrides staff, our partners, and participating organisations are already working hard to make the programme the best it can be for both the community and young people.
You can get more information on how to participate and how we can help you from the OHSEP website, or by emailing Iain MacKenzie or by calling Iain on 01851 702632.
Alasdair Nicholson
Chief Executive, Third Sector Hebrides
February 2010
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