GOVERNMENT funding which will allow a ‘pioneering’ scheme to get up and running in order to reduce unemployment levels in Barnsley is set to be given the green light.
Barnsley’s Pathways to Work Commission, which aims to get 10,000 residents back into work over the next four years, was included in the ‘Get Britain Working’ white paper this week.
Based on the largest-ever survey of people classified as ‘economically inactive’, the commission found that seven in ten people would take a job aligned with their skills, interests and circumstances.
However, only one in ten economically inactive people had demonstrated steps of finding employment.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, confirmed up to £10m of funding will be led by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).
It will focus on improving the support available to people who are economically inactive due to ill health, helping them return to work.
South Yorkshire will also become an NHS England ‘Health and Growth Accelerator’ area, receiving a share of £45m.
The report outlined the need for a proof-of-concept model that brings together work, health and skills support in a radical new approach to help people overcome barriers to employment, delivering savings of up to £4 for every £1 spent.
South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard, was among the members of the Pathways to Work Commission, which took evidence from employers, educators, experts and residents affected by economic inactivity.
He said: “Work, health and skills barriers have prevented people here making the most of their talents for far too long.
“That’s why we’re determined to address those barriers through our pioneering Pathways to Work Commission.
“The report set out recommendations that could unlock the full potential of our communities and I’m really pleased that the government has backed our pioneering approach.
“Barnsley’s led the way in highlighting the importance of bringing work, health and skills together as we support people back into employment.
“We now have a government that understands the importance of devolution and joined-up working, and together we are undertaking the biggest reforms to how we support people into work for a generation.”
Barnsley Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said the scheme will get more people back into work.
“Local knowledge, partnerships and systems reform will be at the heart of enabling all people to benefit from happy, healthy, productive lives,” he added.
“In Barnsley, we’re ahead of the curve, cracking on with solutions to help our people, communities and local economies to grow.
“We recognised the opportunity to develop better Pathways to Work and focused on driving innovation locally, so that we can support everyone who wants to work, into good work.
“Our ambition is stronger than ever - we’re keen to demonstrate that our trailblazing approaches play a leading role in building national solutions to workforce and productivity growth.
“This is a huge opportunity, supplying a ready-made labour force for businesses to support the government’s growth mission.”
