In the spring and summer of 2012, the Government launched a range of measures under its Youth Contract to provide new opportunities for young people in employment, education and training. The support includes a £2,275 subsidy for employers who recruit an 18-24 year old via the Work Programme and a specialist scheme for 16-17 year olds to help them into education, an apprenticeship or work.
Via the DWP’s Innovation Fund, providers also deliver a range of social investment projects that are targeted at young people at risk of becoming disadvantaged. Providers are also involved in the Big Lottery Fund’s Talent Match programme that helps young people to find work or start their own businesses. Providers also deliver youth intervention services commissioned by local and regional agencies.
ERSA is working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Department for Education (DfE) and the Cabinet Office to ensure that the Youth Contract measures are working as effectively as they can. ERSA also strives to ensure that services that are commissioned from the range of different government departments, agencies and others are as joined-up as they can be.
ERSA provided both written and oral evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee in 2012 as part of its inquiry into this issue. The Committee’s final report reflected many of the issues and recommendations put forward by ERSA.