Project: ReEngage

CASH FOR QUALIFICATIONS: A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY GETTING YOUNG PEOPLE BACK ON THE PATH TO TRAINING

ReEngage offers advice and training for 16 to 19 year-olds in Gloucestershire who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). The project's mix of flexible training and modest financial incentives has successfully encouraged young people to complete their learning and identify paths to further mainstream education and employment opportunities.

Project feature

Prospect Training Services is the lead partner in reEngage, a project co-financed by ESF (European Social Fund) and the Skills Funding Agency. ReEngage helps 16 to 19 year-olds in Gloucestershire with qualifications below Level 2 who are either NEET or at risk of becoming NEET, identify paths back to mainstream education and employment.

The project began in June 2008 and looks set to achieve all its targets six months ahead of schedule. With 77% of learners leaving the programme with a qualification and 70% progressing into further learning, employment or training, the success of the project has been put down to the skill and commitment of its counsellors and tutors, the ability to offer flexible learning plans and a number of financial incentives.

ReEngage offers a wide variety of accredited and non-accredited courses, such as construction, confidence-building, food hygiene and first aid. Learners can start when they want and study when they want. Each programme lasts a minimum of eight weeks and learners can choose to study for between three and twelve hours per week. The project also offers modest financial incentives to encourage participation. Incentives include an attendance allowance of £2/hour and a £35 qualification achievement bonus. The incentives not only help remove financial barriers but are also a way for the project to demonstrate its commitment and belief in its learners.

With 15% of learners having registered a disability, the project also offers specialist support for people with disabilities and has supported individuals with emotional, behavioural, medical, mental health and mobility issues. Also, to ensure that the benefit of the programme reaches all parts of the county, Prospect Training Services has selected partners who not only offer a broad range of appealing courses but are geographically dispersed and located in key areas.

Learners undergo a thorough initial interview before they are accepted onto the programme; this reviews skill levels and personal commitment as well as identifies specific barriers to work. Tutors discuss learning plans that suit personal requirements. While 75% of referrals enter the programme, it is not appropriate for all and those who are not accepted are pointed to alternative provision and providers.

ReEngage sets up programmes to meet specific local needs, such as sports courses enhanced with life coaching sessions, and also runs crèches to allow young mothers time to study. Prospect Training Services uses contacts from its other contracts to market and catch up with some of the hardest to reach. These include ex-offenders and illiterate travellers who may have disengaged with employment for generations. Meetings can be anywhere – in youth centres, on street corners or at the local playing fields. ReEngage puts its success at attracting individuals in these groups down to consistency, following up leads and good old hard work.

The mixture of skilled tutors and counsellors, flexible learning plans and small financial incentives has proved an effective combination. Sarah Powell, the performance manager at Prospect training and Recruitment, comments:

'The incentives were built into our proposal for the project and play a significant role attracting individuals in the hardest to reach groups back to training and employment. Through flexibility in our learning programmes and the skill and dedication of our staff, ReEngage has helped teenagers who can't read and those who have completely given up on getting a job. Without these sort of incentives I cannot imagine the project being the success it is.’

Contact details

Sarah Powell, Performance Manager
Prospect Training Services
Prospect House, C4 Brunel Court, Waterwells Business Park, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 2AL
(01452) 886888
E-mail not available