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Social Inclusion : Activity Statement
Introduction
Reducing the level of social exclusion is a major challenge for all of the organisations involved in social and economic development in Scotland. A prosperous Scotland requires that all citizens have access to training and employment opportunities, and that barriers to access are removed. The Structural Funds have had a key role in achieving these objectives through supporting projects tailored to local needs which tackle these barriers in the past and will continue to do so through the programmes being developed for the new programming period 2000-2006.
Past Activity/Policy on Social Inclusion issues
The Objective 3 Programme in Scotland currently supports the provision of core skills and vocational training, work experience and key support, such as guidance and counselling, to disadvantaged groups seeking employment. Between 1997-1999 £135m was spent in Scotland through Objective 3 tackling long-term unemployment, social and economic exclusion and promoting equality of opportunity between men and women.
Current State of Affairs — New Plan Development planning process
A considerable emphasis has been placed within the new programme upon tackling social exclusion and promoting social justice. This emphasis derives from labour market analysis highlighting the considerable challenges Scotland faces in terms of tackling social exclusion and the considerable priority attached to this issue by the Scottish Executive as evidenced through policy documents such as :-
The Objective 3 Programme aims to complement and add value to this policy agenda. Addressing Social Exclusion forms one of five priorities for action within the Objective 3 Operational Programme, with a financial allocation of 37.5% of a total budget of £320m over 7 years, the largest single allocation of funds within the Programme.
Area concentrated exclusion will be tackled by the plan in defined urban and rural communities where certain disadvantaged groups tend to be concentrated. Groups upon which support will be focused generally include the disabled, ethnic minorities, the homeless, ex-offenders, young people leaving care, and those with literacy and numeracy difficulties. In urban areas there is an expectation that support will be focused on socially excluded groups such as workless households, the very long term unemployed and individuals with drug and alcohol related problems.
In rural areas, support will be given to tackle rural exclusion through supporting increased access to training and employment opportunities, and also further engaging with employers with socially excluded target groups. Support in these areas will take account of the particular dynamics underlying rural exclusion through providing sufficient flexibility to cope with the issue of critical mass for projects in rural areas, such as assistance with transport costs.
There is also scope to focus support on groups not geographically concentrated in urban and rural areas necessarily which gives maximum flexibility to address the needs of the most vulnerable groups in society. Support throughout these measures will cover activities such as guidance and counselling, pre-vocational and vocational training, work related activities, job search activities, and the flexibility to follow through and provide ongoing support in the form of aftercare to those entering training or employment.
In parallel to the strong focus on meaningful partnerships within the Social Inclusion Strategy all project sponsors will be expected to demonstrate integrated activities both within the project being supported and between activities of partner organisations. Meaningful partnerships will be encouraged with genuine co-ordination and joint working, both within agencies and between partner agencies and the community itself.
Support for building the capacity of organisations delivering support to socially excluded groups is also possible within the scope of this priority in order to enhance the long-term sustainability of organisations dealing with social exclusion in Lowland Scotland and to provide locally-based support to more effectively meet the needs of those subject to exclusion.
In addition to a specific priority focusing on addressing social exclusion, the other priorities for action within the new Programme also support the social justice agenda in the following ways:
Origin & Development
This project offers beneficiaries under the age of 25, who are unemployed and living in deprived areas of Edinburgh, practical vocational training in film and video techniques to improve their employment opportunities within the media industry.
Aims and Objectives
The project aims to provide each beneficiary with a package of practical vocational skills training, work placement and qualifications tailored to meeting their specific needs. Help with childcare costs and travel expenses provides beneficiaries with additional much needed support.
Activities
The project offers a wide range of craft and technical skills training such as camera operation, sound recording, editing and production management, before encouraging beneficiaries to specialise in one particular area. Beneficiaries are also offered mock interviews, industry contact sessions and business skills. A unique feature of the project has been a transnational exchange with a similar project based in Berlin and beneficiaries have had the chance to spend up to three weeks visiting this project, enabling them to learn professional broadcast studio techniques and develop basic German skills.
Structure
The project has been running for a number of years and in that time has developed a host of contacts at a local level and throughout the industry. It is now a well recognised provider of training in this field and demand for the training continues to exceed the availability of places every year. Strong links have been maintained with a range of employers in the broadcast, film, television and video industry in addition to links to industry freelancers. Other links include close co-operation with Edinburgh City Council, Stevenson College, Business in the Arts Scotland, and others. These links enable the project to continue to deliver up-to-date and industry specific qualifications whilst equipping the beneficiaries with a range of transferable skills.
Finance
The project received £54,000 of ESF funding in 1999 with match funding being provided by the City of Edinburgh Council. The funding provided covers the costs of staff and training in addition to childcare, subsistence and travel allowances for beneficiaries where required.
Performance
Although the organisation will not officially report on the project’s performance until later in 2000 the project has an commendable track record for getting beneficiaries into jobs.
Future
It is anticipated that the activity being carried out by the Edinburgh Video Training Company will continue to be eligible in the new programme (2000-2006), either under Priority 1 — Employability, or Priority 2 — Social Inclusion and that the organisation will apply for funding to allow further beneficiaries to be trained.
Origin & Development
The project aims to provide fully integrated vocational training and rehabilitation for people aged 25 and over who have a learning disability, are long term unemployed and who live in the Greater Easterhouse Area of Glasgow. The project provides skills to meet the identified needs in the local area by providing training in areas within Catering, Administration and Retail, Electrical and Performing Manufacturing Operations and Stores and Warehousing, all areas which have been identified for potential growth .
Aims & Objectives
The aim of this project is to reduce the risk of labour market and social exclusion for this priority group and to promote social and economic independence by providing the beneficiaries with the confidence and skills to create an action plan that will lead them to a good start in working life.
The beneficiaries will gain nationally recognised qualifications and work experience in one of the areas of work listed above.
Activities
Activities to assist the beneficiaries progress to employment or further education will include vocational advice and guidance; individual action planning; key skills support; pre and basic vocational training; job search assistance and work experience.
Structure
The project maintains close links with employers and prospective employers to seek their opinions regarding the levels and quality of training expected to enable trainees to meet the expectations of the changing job market. The project also has links with other providers within the area with which they form a local training strategy. These organisations include the local authority Social Work department, the Local Enterprise Company, and other economic development organisations operating within the Greater Easterhouse area. In order to ensure that beneficiaries are being offered up to date training and are encouraged to participate in Further Education training the project has developed links with two Glasgow based colleges.
Many of the organisations within the network of support described above offer exit opportunities for the beneficiaries and also refer clients to the projects.
Finance
The project is match funded by North Lanarkshire and City of Glasgow Councils and attracts £123,764 of ESF funding. The project provides beneficiaries with training, subsistence and travel allowances and offers child/dependent care provision where required.
Performance
The project will not officially report on performance until after its completion in June 2000. However, Rehab Scotland’s past experience in delivering this project, over the past nine years, is that a high percentage of beneficiaries will achieve employment or further education.
Future
This type of project and activity will be supported and encouraged in the new 2000 — 2006 Programme under the Social Inclusion priority through either Measure 2.1 Addressing Exclusion Eligibility in New Programme Target Group
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