Economic Participation - Award of Tenders 2009/10

Luton Borough Council announced the award of contracts for Economic Participation spend for 2009/10.

Following an invitation to tender for EEDA funded Economic Participation funding in April 2009 Luton Borough Council has awarded seven contracts worth a total of £2,841m follows:

Activity 1

The Luton In 2 Work (Skills) programme, run by the Learning Partnership  will offer first steps style learning (training needs analysis, taster workshops and 1:1 sessions) that will prepare unemployed and economically inactive adults for employment.

The programme will offer personalised learning tailored to the needs of the learner to equip them with the skills required to move them onto structured learning improve their literacy and numeracy skills, build their confidence and motivation and move them closer to the labour market. The project includes partners with expertise in providing intensive support to disadvantaged adults through mentoring and training and by finding work placements and job opportunities.

This programme will link to existing funded provision providing progression pathways into accredited learning, including mainstream Entry level 1-3 skills for life, ESF funded skills for jobs programmes offered by the LSC, Jobcentre Plus and through Luton Borough Council.

142 people assisted to get a job,

432 people assisted in skills development,

101 adults gaining basic skills as part of Skills for Life Strategy,

142 adults into paid employment, and

675 adults completing a RARPA learning progression route.

Activity 1

Healthy Steps to Employment, run by Bedfordshire Community Health Services has been operational across in Luton since October 2006.  Previously  funded by Investing in Communities, from East of England Development Agency (EEDA), through the Economic Participation theme.

Healthy Steps to Employment (HSE) is an innovative project working closely with individuals that claim benefits due to work-limiting illness.   The project, delivered by a dynamic partnership of key stakeholders, including Jobcentre Plus, local authorities, NHS and the voluntary sector, enables beneficiaries to manage their health condition so that they are able to return to paid employment. 

In summary: clients see Health and Well-Being Advisors for a health assessment and are then referred on to interventions, run by several partners across Bedfordshire and Luton, which address their health issues and assist them to find suitable employment.

Outputs to be delivered by 31st March 2010:-

1 Job created,

4 Jobs safeguarded,

225 people assisted to get a job, and

40 adults into paid employment.

Activity 1

Luton Learning Centre -  run by Luton Town Football Club, a facility to be used for learning for both business and community use, using the significant goodwill built up by Luton Town Football Club. Business Link will provide business courses, update lectures and networking events, the centre will target
small and medium sized businesses, and also the retail and catering sectors.

The facility will have full IT equipment to also allow online learning, and online examinations.  Courses from basic “Changes in HR Law” and Recession Plans, through to qualification bearing courses in specific business disciplines, and also  networking and sharing best practice events.

For individuals it will run courses on citizenship, applying for jobs and CV presentation as well as courses aimed at increasing the skill base of individuals to match the employment opportunities in the area. Also “Job Fairs” will be held to bring employers and candidates together.

Outputs to be delivered by 31st March 2010:-

40 people assisted to get a job,

£24,000 public sector investment levered

£14,000 private sector infrastructure levered

300 people assisted in skills development

40 people gaining basic skills as part of a Skills for Life Strategy

20 economically active adults supported in gaining a first full Level 2 qualification

Activity 2 – (THIS ACTIVITY WILL NO LONGER GO AHEAD THIS YEAR)

The Learning Shop: or Luton Learning Link (L3) will offer adults universal access to high quality information, advice and guidance on the full range of learning opportunities available in the Luton area. The project will provide a bespoke facility in the Town Centre Luton. L3 will make a major impact by being a high profile facility that provides easy access to the high footfall adults using the areas primarily for shopping and retail.  This carefully chosen location is the only solution that can guarantee that a structure of this type provides a valid means of promoting learning to adults from every part of Luton.

L3 will be staffed surgery style by professional advisors from Business Link, Barnfield College, Luton Adult and Community Learning, University of Bedfordshire, Luton Libraries and by staff from the 3rd  sector. It will become the “one-place-to-go” in Luton for advice about getting started in learning, improving skills to get into work or career progression through the acquisition of a professional or higher level qualifications.

Outputs to be delivered by 31st March 2010:-

£100,000 public sector infrastructure investment levered,

£25,000 private sector infrastructure levered, and

30m sq brown field land reclaimed/developed.

Outputs to be delivered by 31st March 2011:-

2 jobs safeguarded,

50 businesses assisted to improve performance,

10 businesses engaged in collaboration with UK knowledge base,

£100,000 private sector infrastructure levered,

500 people assisted in skills development,

200 adults gaining basic skills as part of Skills for Life Strategy,

200 economically active adults supported in gaining a first full Level 2 qualification, and

75 adults into paid employment.

Activity 3

Making Positive Transitions, run by Campus Luton, is a project to prevent young people from becoming NEET; through the delivery of a diverse and innovative range of learning and personal development interventions delivered from a dedicated centre of excellence accessible to all Luton schools to engage learners who are disengaging or at risk of disengaging in education and training. 

The goal is to reduce the numbers of young people becoming NEET within Luton to 6.5% by 2009/10 and to 6.2% by 2010/11.  The project will work with partners to make best use of economic intelligence to support the development of local sector specific areas and skills needs in Luton and regionally. The project facility will be accessible to other partners as a delivery base. The project will complement current interventions and provide a range of provision to enable flexibility, vocational taster sessions, roll on roll off, and entry at different times throughout the year including school holiday periods.               

Outputs to be delivered by 31st March 2010:-

100 Young people to be assisted in skills development

25 Young people (under 18 yrs) to enter into education, employment or training

Outputs to be delivered by 31st March 2011:-

40 Young people to be assisted in skills development

30 Young people (under 18 yrs) to enter into education, employment or training

Activity 4

The North Luton Enterprise Hub (NLEH) run by the Marsh Farm Community Development Trust is the creation of 17,000 sq ft of managed workspace based within Marsh Farm situated in the Northwell ward of Luton. The hub will be located within the new Community and Enterprise Resource Centre, the construction of which will be starting shortly and will be completed by the end of 2010.

The NLEH will offer:
- Business incubation units designed for start-up enterprises
- Grow-on units for established enterprises
- Space for business focused training & development
- Business support, advice and guidance
- Links to employment opportunities assisting residents with job search, cv’s, career advice and links to mainstream support

To businesses across Luton,  the focus being on those situated in the northern area of Luton.

The project not only offers the managed workspace but includes a Part Time Project Coordinator who will support the creation of 10 new businesses and the development of over 25 existing local businesses.

Outputs to be delivered by 31st March 2010:-

8 new businesses created,

6 businesses demonstrating growth,

3 new businesses attracted to the region,

12 businesses assisted to improve performance,

£3.8 million other public sector investment levered, and

0.7 ha brown field land reclaimed/developed.

Outputs to be delivered by 31st March 2011:-

2 new businesses created.

4 businesses demonstrating growth,

7 new businesses attracted to the region,

8 businesses assisted to improve performance,

£2.9 million other public sector investment levered,

0.7 ha brown field land reclaimed/developed,

Activity 4

Luton Business Space, run by  Integria, this Project will purchase and refurbish Grosvenor  House, a 600 Sq Metre building in, Luton Town Centre in Alma Street that has been empty for some years and needs complete internal refurbishment.

This project will provide 10 incubator spaces, plus 14 offices for start – ups, plus 4 moving upwards offices and 3 training rooms, one will be fully ICT equipped.

20 Business will get in depth business advice, 10 new start ups will be supported and 730 Sq Metres of Business Space will be created.

Outputs to be delivered by 31st March 2010:-

20 businesses assisted to improve performance,

£36.355.55 public/private sector investment levered, and

0.06 ha brown field land reclaimed/developed.

Outputs to be delivered by 31st March 2011:-

10 new businesses created,

Target groups and areas, and Residents in Luton.