Work Programme Should Take A Long Term View, Says Pertemps

The Government Work Programme, set to begin tomorrow, needs the adequate infrastructure to ensure workers are matched with sustainable employment, says Carmen Watson, Managing Director of Pertemps.

The Government is committing £5 billion to a radical scheme that aims to transform the lives of millions of people on long term benefits. It plans to break the cycle of unemployment by incentivising companies to take on staff and reintegrating them into the working life. In its first two years, it will help two million people, making it the largest ever scheme of its kind.

Carmen Watson says, “Despite widespread optimism, there are still currently 2.6 million people out of work, many of whom are long term unemployed so this is a huge task. The Work Programme will need to engage and educate employers to a greater extent if it wants to enable sustainable employment and create a competitive market.

“All key stakeholders need to collaborate to minimise any potential risk and chances of failure – this will include cooperation of between a myriad of professionals including education providers, government, employers and recruitment companies. Only when workers are placed in jobs they can keep in the long term will they become consumers on a wider basis and enable the scheme to pay for itself.”

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A number of private sector and voluntary organisations have been appointed as contractors and sub contractors to enable the rollout of the scheme over the next seven years. They will have the freedom to design their own plans that are fit for purpose and will be paid for their results.

Carmen continues, “A vital part of the success of the programme will be the use of expert recruitment companies to administer the selection process. Once the adequate training has taken place, firms such as Pertemps can ensure the candidates are matched with suitable companies and those employers who have invested in creating jobs will be rewarded with the right people.”

Ade Awodumila was out of work for two years because of childcare issues. She was recommended to Pertemps by her a government sponsored scheme at Harrow Council, which is a client of Pertemps. Pertemps helped to enhance her skills and then assigned her to a long term part time administration post at an Early Years training centre. Since starting there in October 2009 she has thrived and plans to remain there for the rest of her career