European Social Fund in England
2007 - 2013
Convergence ESF Launches a Huge Success in Cornwall
Jobcentre Plus in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have made a great start in promoting the DWP Convergence ESF programmes with four launch events aimed at Jobcentre Plus operational staff and advisers from other organisations who work with jobless people.
Carolyn Webster, Regional ESF Manager for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said: “The purpose of these events is to ensure that advisers are aware of what ESF provision is available, understand how it can support their customers and know how they can access it”
Over 350 people attended over four days designed to motivate and inspire people to make the best use of ESF provision to enable more jobless individuals to move into work and gain the skills they need to compete successfully in the labour market.
Sarah Jeffery, Customer Service Operational Manager for Jobcentre Plus in Cornwall said: “The day has been fantastic, everyone is so positive about what they are delivering and the activity is really inspirational.”
Overall feedback from the launches was positive and typical examples included:
- “Thank Goodness for ESF!”
- “Inspirational providers giving great information”
- “I should no longer have a customer in front of me with nothing to offer them”
Neil Robertson and Mike Cherry, speaking for Cornwall County Council and Working Links (the ESF prime providers) agreed: “These events have meant a significant investment of time from both prime providers and sub-contractors but it is probably one of the best investments we will make in terms of promoting our ESF programmes. It has also been beneficial for delivery partners across the programmes to come together – we have all learned a lot”
A further event is being held on 24 October aimed at strategic partners including the Programme Monitoring Committee and leaders in the voluntary and community sector in Cornwall and Scilly.