External Evaluation of Family Employment Initiative

Descriptions

BTCV Cymru has secured funding for a three year project – the Family Employment Initiative (FEI). The project started in April 2009 and runs until March 2012. The project is funded through ESF Convergence, Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Valleys to Coast, Bridgend County Borough Council and CCW. BTCV Cymru requires interim and a final evaluation of this initiative and invites tenders from experienced individuals or organisations to carry out evaluations over the life of this project. The first interim evaluation should be completed by the end of September 2010The FEI is a precursor to training and employment, using a specialist engagement programme designed to create supported pathways for individuals and families in targeted areas using many different techniques. These techniques involve social inclusion interventions, such as volunteering, community and group activity. Given the high and increasing profile of environmental concerns and climate change, environmental activity is one of the techniques used to increase engagement and economic activity.This project offers support to participants and also can provide environmental training and volunteering opportunities. This will lead to participants engaging/re-engaging to build their confidence and allow them to take the next step. As a precursor programme, it feeds effectively into a variety of other initiatives, which can provide further appropriate intervention such as employment routes, other training opportunities, debt advice, substance misuse advice, mentoring etc. This approach will ensure the hardest to reach are engaged and barriers have been addressed before participants enter training and employment. With these barriers broken down, the sustainability of training and employment will increase. The project will also increase sustained economic activity and also works in a model that the community accepts and encourages them to fully participate.BTCV delivers:•Direct specialist engagement with communities and individuals•A wide menu of volunteer opportunities•Soft skills support •Environmental Skills Training accredited with Agored Cymru•Support to engage with other programmes to initiate the next step •A skills analysis for every participant and develops a working document that can be developed as the participant moves through the project. BTCV signposts people to:•Bridges into work ( all provision they offer as identified through participants skills analysis)•Jobmatch - Heads of the Valleys City Strategy ( for specific employment related training)•Remploy, SHAW Trust and other partner organisations