Addresses the challenge of how to make employment retention and advancement programmes work. Describes the ERA programme as a research demonstration project testing the effectiveness of an approach to post-employment support. Studies people with either low rates of employment participation or extended periods not in work. Discusses the problems of work retention and work advancement. Explores respondents’ feelings about employment and their caring responsibilities. Examines attitudes towards retaining employment and considers respondents’ perspectives on job advancement.

ERA is a programme, which began serving customers in 2003 in six Jobcentre Plus districts in England, Scotland and Wales, offering a combination of employment counselling services and financial support to certain recipients of government benefits or lone parents claiming Working Tax Credit. Its purpose is to help people stabilise and improve their work situations. It aims to shift research emphasis away from work readiness and work entry to focus instead on concepts of retention and advancement. Aims to offer a foundation for understanding how receptive low-paid workers may be towards attempts to improve their labour market position through post-employment interventions.

A research consortium was established, with three British organisations (Policy Studies Institute, Office for National Statistics, and Institute for Fiscal Studies) and a United States organisation (MDRC) working closely with the Department of Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus. Four research strands were identified: an impact study to determine ERA’s effectiveness; a process study to show how ERA operated and why certain outcomes may have arisen; a cost study to determine operational costs of the programme; and a cost-benefit study to compare the programme’s outcomes with operational costs.

Reinforces the importance of a bespoke approach, tailored to a customers’ individual retention and advancement needs. Contends that the individualised approach is a basic requirement for a well-designed employment service. Highlights the importance of finding the right kind of job for an individual to retain and advance in work.

Identifies three categories of ERA customers:

Policy Studies Institute
Lesley Hoggart (Senior Research Fellow), tel. +44 (0) 20 7911 7500

14/09/2006

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Lesley Hoggart et al; Policy Studies Institute

research

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Employment