Indus Delta Welfare to Work Newswire - 7 October 2011

Parkhouse Bell: building recruitment relationships

Parkhouse Bell is a recruitment consultancy that provides a confidential and specialist service across all levels within the welfare to work industry.  For more information visit our website or our dedicated jobs page on Indus Delta. 

e-petition to bring back the Future Jobs Fund

A young graduate has set up an e-petition to bring back the Future Jobs Fund.  The young person in question, Liam Simey, was inspired to start the petition following his successful FJF placement with Age Concern.   Read more here.

Last chance to respond to DWP public consultation on specialist disability employment programmes 

There is only one week remaining to respond to the public consultation on the recommendations in Liz Sayce's independent review into disability employment programmes, Getting in, staying in and getting on.  Read more here.

Avanta signs Vertex contract to support Work Programme

Vertex, a leading global customer management outsourcing business with clients in the private and public sector has signed a contract with Avanta, a specialist employability, enterprise and skills provider, to support the delivery of the Work Programme.  Read more here.

Movers & shakers: Chris Melvin appointed as Interim CEO of Shaw Trust 

Shaw Trust has announced that it has appointed Chris Melvin, former head of Reed in Partnership, as Interim Chief Executive.  Read more here.

DWP hits back at criticism of Work Programme 

According to a recent news story by Supply Management, the Department for Work and Pensions has defended its claim that the Work Programme has set a new “gold standard for procurement” but says only time will tell if it’s ultimately successful.  Read more here.

PoWER newsletter published

The Professionalisation of Welfare Expert Reference (PoWER) group has published its first newsletter, packed with all the latest information on the welfare to work industry professionalisation project.  Read more here.

Duncan Smith signals ‘couple penalty’ reduction

Speaking at the Conservative Party conference this week, Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, signalled a reduction of the “couple penalty” under the new Universal Credit regime, which will be rolled out from 2013.   Read more here.

The truth about low pay in the UK

A new report from Think Tank Resolution Foundation asserts that more than one in five employees across the country are earning less than a "living wage", echoing recent work by the TUC, which uncovered what it called a "livelihood crisis" among the growing swathe of the workforce stuck in low-paid jobs.  Read more here.

Osborne plans changes to employment tribunals to boost jobs

At the Conservative Party conference this week, George Osborne revealed plans to introduced a fee for employees who bring forward employment tribunals, in a bid to reduce risk for small employers and boost job creation.  Read more here.

Indus Delta events of the week

Breakfast seminar on Agency Workers Regulations

26 October 2011 | Davies Arnold Cooper LLP | 6-8 Bouverie Street | London| EC4Y 8DD

This free, practical session will explore the implications for the sector of the new Agency Workers Regulations (that came into force on 1 October).  The session will be led by Davies Arnold Cooper, an international law firm, and will focus on tricky areas of the regulations such as bonuses and pregnant agency workers, and offer tips for ensuring that contractual terms are fit for purpose. 

Read more here.

Youth Employment Convention 

23 November 2011 | Manchester

Youth unemployment is set to hit 1m.  There’s a lot to get to grips with and a lot to do.  The youth employment convention brings together all those involved in a young person’s journey from education to employment.  Delegates can expect an informative, interactive, practical and inspiring day, learning about the new policy context and debating:

• Improving transitions from education to work
• Promoting inclusion and engagement for our most disadvantaged young people
• Joining up the offer and support for unemployed young people
• How do we help those furthest from work/ long-term unemployed?

We are particularly keen to bring together the following partners on the day:

• 14-19s partnerships, providers, schools and policy makers
• Employment and skills commissioners and deliverers
• Local government
• Colleges and learning providers
• Voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations
• Jobcentre Plus
• Work Programme primes and providers

For further information visit the Inclusion website.

Indus Delta job of the week

Seetec: consultant opportunities

Why would you want to be a Consultant at Seetec?  The question should really be, why wouldn’t you?

As one of the largest Work Programme providers we have used our 25 years experience delivering employment and skills contracts to create a fresh, innovative programme. We help thousands of people every year into employment and achieve qualifications and every year we get better and better at it.

We are passionate about joining up employment and skills, using technology to support our staff and our customers and creating effective partnership to deliver results.

If you bring the passion, drive and determination then we’ll provide you with tools to succeed.

We are currently recruiting for Employment Consultants, Business Development Consultants and Trainers in Bristol and Hackney.

Read more here.