WELFARE TO WORK REFORM SPARKS NEW IN WORK ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME
A unique partnership between two well established employment support businesses is set to revolutionalise the way in which those returning to work are supported, ultimately leading to sustainable employment and more practical management for job brokers.
Renovo Employment Group, a leading provider of distance based employment services has collaborated with MyKnowledgeMap, a highly regarded learning technology company, to introduce its innovative “In Work Assistance Programme“(IWAP). The programme provides a powerful yet highly cost effective platform for delivering in-work-support to high volumes of customers at both local and national levels. Support can be provided either at the point of job entry or from the job outcome stage through to the end of the sustainment period which could now be as long as two years. The collaboration brings together knowledge and software intelligence to take the customer on a “journey” from initial skills analysis and job suitability through to support at work, acquiring new skills and progressing in their career. The programme effectively allows the customer to progress from supported through to unsupported, sustainable employment.
Historically, government funded employment programmes have required providers to deliver in work support for up to a maximum of 26 weeks. Under the planned Work Programme, due to commence in the Summer of 2011, providers could be required to deliver in work support for up to 52 or even 104 weeks. This step change in provision brings with it very real challenges for providers and requires a fresh and innovative approach to delivery. Renovo’s unique new programme means that Prime Contractors and Job Brokers can effectively outsource the entire process of monitoring candidate progress in their new role. This includes a dedicated one to one guidance package where each customer has their own Work Coach available by telephone, email and text for the duration of the programme. Each customer is also provided with access to “Workfriend”, a new interactive online portal containing factsheets, videos and e-learning across a host of topics relating to support at work, skills and progression. Workfriend is also available as a phone app, allowing those without ready access to computers to benefit from the resources. A 24/7 helpline provides access to counselling, financial and legal advice as well as acting as a crisis intervention service.
Employers aren’t forgotten either. Workfriend contains a wealth of information for employers around equality and diversity in the workplace, delivered via e-learning materials, videos and factsheets.
An incentive programme, aimed at rewarding customers for achieving development goals agreed with their Work Coach serves to recognise the progress that customers are making and assists continued engagement in the programme.
The Work Programme clearly outlines that providers are to be paid at a rate set by outcomes rather than input. Certainly this allows better freedom of practice but realistically it means that payments could be held for up to two years of satisfactory job sustainment.
The IWAP essentially eases this investment by taking away much of the workload in tracking and supporting customers as well as helping them to progress in their new roles. It provides an incentivised tool to encourage commitment and maintain engagement, delivering subsequent commercial returns for providers on a much more efficient scale.
Renovo has already achieved outstanding results through its bespoke programme working with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Jobcentre Plus where it has helped over 20,000 jobseekers back on the road to work. Renovo is a DWP Accredited Provider and holds both the Matrix and Investors in People Standard.
David Twiddle, CEO for Renovo comments, “We have partnered with MyKnowledgeMap to specifically deliver an innovative and commercially viable solution to support both the new Work Programme and other in work support initiatives. Supporting customers for up to 104 weeks brings new challenges and we are convinced that our distance based model, based on a blend of experienced professionals and the use of highly innovative technology can deliver high impact support over a longer period of time for less money – ultimately ensuring sustainability of employment for many.
Rob Arntsen, CEO of MyKnowledgeMap, comments: “We are very pleased and excited to be partnering with Renovo and building on the success of recent national projects for skills and capability development and look forward to being able to make a tangible difference to the In Work Assistance Programme.”