Nottingham is the sixth richest city in the country but is also the seventh most deprived. The strength of the local economy, with its expanding job opportunities has had little impact on the unemployment rates in the most deprived neighbourhoods, which remain stubbornly high.

Beginning in September 2003, Nottingham Works was established in an attempt to tackle this wide gap between the city’s rich and poor communities. It aims to increase employment rates in the poorer neighbourhoods through an integrated employment, training and education (ETE) programme. It’s targeted on the needs both of residents and of employers.

Nottingham is the sixth richest city in England and the seventh in levels of deprivation. This gap between rich and poor led to the development of Nottingham Works, a large employment, training and education partnership.

It is distinctive in bringing the City Council, employers and other agencies together in specific training “Academies” targeted on sectors that offer the most accessible job opportunities.

It has a “can do” approach leading to its core team and agencies contacting people on their doorsteps or meeting places to encourage take up. In its first year 1200 of the 1500 people it supported got jobs.

A small core team has close links to a range of agencies in the 15 most deprived neighbourhoods. In addition four specific vulnerable groups are included in the project wherever they live in the City.

Employers indicated that they would train new staff in the specific skills they needed. Provided the training programme was completed successfully, employers guaranteed a job interview. Training projects are called “Gateways” or “Academies”. Groups of employers are involved in a co-ordinated approach.

The project employs a doorstep approach. Each recruitment team promotes a specific event, giving shape to the project. Recruitment emphasises attitude and enthusiasm rather than formal experience and qualifications.

Results Nottingham Works’ statistics are impressive. Two thirds of people going through the programme get a job and nearly all of them keep it.

The project has proved its main contention – that many people too often disregarded and considered all but unemployable are keen to get a job and, with the right help and support, the majority succeed in doing so.

Nottingham Works demonstrates the importance of a “pro active” approach. Nottingham Works is strongly fixed on outcomes.

The community, the unemployed, local businesses

Partners:

Funding:

Regeneration East Midlands (REM)
info@regenerationem.co.uk

/09/2003

case

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Research & innovation

Implementation & production