Welcome
Welcome to the Conwy Employment Hub Annual Report for 2023-24.
It was another busy and successful year as the Hub helped support 123 Conwy residents gain employment, with 444 residents signing up to the Communities for Work Plus (CfW+) programme.
The CfW+ Programme, which is funded by the Welsh Government, continues to make a significant difference to people’s lives and we are building on this through additional funding from other streams to ensure no-one who needs our help misses out especially those that are hard to reach and with complex barriers.
We introduced a number of new and significant roles to strengthen the Hub team during the year which enabled us to widen our reach within the community, including the appointment of a new Employer Engagement Officer to develop and build our relationship with employers to give our participants access to a network of businesses and organisations looking to recruit at every level. The expansion of the team has ensured we have the dexterity and speed to react to change as well as the capability to work with our strategic partners in developing and introducing projects to the benefit of all of those involved. The Guaranteed Interview Scheme is a prime example of this.
We also faced some significant challenges during the latter part of the year which we have sought to overcome. In December 2023, Welsh Government announced a 35% cut in our Communities for Work Plus 2024-25 budget. In response we were successful in drawing down an additional £680,000 during quarters 3 and 4 from various sources to plug this gap and grow and strengthen our service provision. As the uncertainty of the future of the UK Government Funding SPF funding continues beyond 2024 we are actively seeking ways to develop our resilience and sustainability as a Service going forwards.
Additional funding drawn down to support new projects includes:
Young People’s Engagement Employability Project
This project focuses on helping and supporting 16-19 year olds to develop lifelong skills whilst providing a clear path to training and employment. It’s funded through the UKSPF Conwy People and Skills Key Fund and runs until end of November 2024.
Confidently You
This programme focuses on reducing social isolation; building resilience; increasing confidence/self-esteem; developing soft practical, financial, digital and employability skills whilst improving physical and mental health. It’s funded through the UKSPF Conwy People & Skills Key Fund and runs until end of November 2024.
Pathways to Employment
A schedule of sector specific pathway courses which offer a blend of training on soft skills and employability, certificated sector-based qualifications and hands-on work experience, as well as ad-hoc training courses that sit within participants‘ development needs. It‘s funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and runs until end of 2024.
Targeted Employability Numeracy Support – TENS
TENS provides person centred essential numeracy skills support to unemployed people who need to develop their numeracy skills and numeracy confidence in order to apply for jobs or attain a desired career path. TENS also provides numeracy support for prisoners released back into the Conwy community through collaborative partnership working between Conwy Employment Hub and HMP Berwyn. It’s funded through the UKSPF Conwy People & Skills Key Fund and runs until end of 2024.
Homeless Employment Mentor
A dedicated Homeless Employment Mentor, managed by the Hub, is embedded within Conwy’s Homeless Prevention Team to support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness to help them overcome barriers to training, volunteering and employment. This role is funded by the Conwy Housing Support Grant until end of March 2025.
As we look ahead, our focus will be on maintaining our support to help Conwy residents find sustainable employment, which allows them to work productively whilst maintaining their health and well-being. By working in partnership with our strategic partners, Conwy Employment Hub will continue to make lasting and positive changes to people’s lives.
To refer someone to Conwy Employment Hub: email ceh@conwy.gov.uk or phone 01492 575578
Libby Duo
Strategic Manager, Conwy Employment Hub