Project: Better West Midlands

An early intervention bespoke redundancy support package that responds to the needs of companies and their employees

The Better West Midlands (BWM) project works with employers of all sizes across the West Midlands when they make redundancies. Managed by the trade union, Unity, BWM provides a bespoke redundancy support package within days of a referral, giving the employer a single point of contact for support. The project engages with the employees facing redundancy during their notice period to facilitate a smooth transition towards new employment. BWM does this by creating an individual action plan for each employee, identifying and sourcing training, and providing job search preparation and ongoing support. The Better West Midlands project also deliver services under Priority 1

Project feature

'ESF has been a lifeline and godsend to the local area,' said John Day, operations manager at Better West Midlands.

Unity initiated the project several years ago to support people needing to retrain out of the declining ceramics industry and quickly developed a reputation for help within local organisations. The marked decline of the ceramics industry in late 2000 had a huge impact on the region. A lack of jobs in the sector focused attention on how people who have been working for many years in one sector can change to take up opportunities in another.

Better West Midlands, which was first known as The North Staffordshire Workforce Development Project, created a model that puts the individual first by sourcing training to meet the identified needs of the individual rather than fitting people into available training places.

Key features of the model are:

• managing communications with the individual
• information, advice and guidance (IAG) sessions agreeing realistic aspirations with individuals in accordance with local opportunities and their unique aptitudes
• an individual action plan including CV preparation, interview and job search skills
• sourcing and purchasing appropriate training

Through Better West Midlands (BWM), Unity has created a network of cooperation with other unions - including, Unite, Unison, CWU, UCCAT, USDAW, PCS and GMB - to ensure that help is offered as early as possible when a company identifies a need to make redundancies. Better West Midlands advisers meet the employer to explain the support they can offer to build a positive relationship with employees facing redundancy. Employees attend a presentation explaining the BWM services and individual appointments are made to encourage all to participate in the programme.  The participant deals with a single person who coordinates available services on their behalf. This prevents loss of take up by those who are either reluctant to participate fully or confused by the range of options.

The project encourages a short, focused training programme to help the individual back into work as quickly as possible. Better West Midlands is developing their programme by contacting local employers to identify occupations in which there are job opportunities available in the region. They identify the skill sets needed for these occupations, ensuring that work expectations and training are realistic in the current climate and meeting local needs. The average duration of the full programme is 16 weeks. Training is sub-contracted to experienced providers throughout the region, improving ease of access for the project participants.

Where time is of the essence, it is essential that efficient support systems are in place, as exemplified at Better West Midlands.  Accurate record keeping and close monitoring of participants' progress is an essential underpinning of project delivery.  One key to the project's success is the in-house database system it maintains.  This is particularly important for a project that is concerned with early intervention and must respond with speed.

The key benefit of the Better West Midlands project is that it focuses on proactivity rather than reactivity. Not only is it the most efficient approach for maximising utilisation of funds, but the individual is engaged in a 'rescue' programme before they have had a chance to disengage from the work environment. There are multiple benefits to supporting those losing jobs when they are still accessible as a group in the workplace. There are recognised psychological benefits both for the individual and those close to them, in addition to which they place a lesser burden on social services if they can be quickly supported into new employment opportunities.

Contact details

Lyndon Peach, PR Officer
Better West Midlands
West Midlands Redundancy Support Project, Suite 3, Church House, Old Hall Street Hanley, Stoke on Trent , ST1 3AU
(01782) 266775
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it