/ Community
   Employabilty

Client: Tyne & Wear Together

Format: A two week employability training programme and DVD

Brief
Tyne & Wear Together were looking for external consultants to develop a programme of motivational workshops that would engage with unemployed and unwaged residents within the five Tyne and Wear Local Authorities. Linking potential employees with employers the programme was to build soft skills and address potential barriers to employment, including the recruitment process and crossing the travel to work area. The ultimate aim was to improve the participants’ employability skills demonstrate job readiness and move them closer to or into the work place challenging employer/employee perceptions.

Methodology
Gibber devised and delivered The Tynewear Employment Challenge an innovative programme that was delivered over a two week period. Drama for development techniques were used to - improve communication skills, encourage team work and build confidence. Using scripted scenarios we explored job search-related issues including the recruitment process and interview techniques.

Working in teams lead by a Gibber facilitator participants used public transport to travel across Tyne & Wear visiting 6 employers from different sectors. At each location the participants took part in an employment-related challenge (work experience simulation), scored by the host employer. Each participant was given a one to one simulated job interview with a real employer who gave written feedback on which to reflect upon and use in a real job interview.

On the last day of the challenge the participants were given the opportunity to ‘showcase’ skills, network and demonstrate job readiness linking participants with potential employment and further training opportunities.

Results
Gibber completed this initial contract with 60 local residents engaged onto the programme. 90% of participants progressed into employment or further training. The Challenge was independently evaluated by Durham Business school and based on its success Gibber were awarded a further contract to deliver an additional 4 programmes across the region.

100% rated the challenge as Good, Very Good or Excellent,
with 62% rating them Excellent
100% rated the staff Good, Very Good or Excellent,
with 74% rating them Excellent.
98% of participants would recommend the Challenge to others.

Participant comments:

“It has given me the push I’ve longed for.”
“This gave me the motivation to get out of bed in the morning.”
“It showed me a lot of home truths about myself and what I could do to change.”
“I’ve been on these sort of courses before but the acting tactic is 100% better – I had fun while learning and it made me realise there are different attitudes to life – and not to set goals too high.”
“It was great to be equal like everyone else and a good way to rebuild my self-confidence.”

“As an activity it addressed teamwork, confidence and drew attention to the whole area, tackling geographical barriers… it built self esteem and confidence in participants who reported very positively on the methodology, on Gibber staff and without prompting, identified the learning gains they had achieved – which are totally in line with the aims of the programme.”
Durham Business School Evaluation

A DVD to present distance travelled and participant competencies were shown at the progression event attended by employers and employability providers. This effectively demonstrated the achievements, skills, attributes and job readiness of all the participants.

This programme was later developed into the WE Challenge and is currently being delivered on behalf of North Tyneside Council and Newcastle City Council.