News and Events

29th September 2010

SERCO are holding their first round of Regional Partnership events for the Work Programme. Serco will be giving information on their understanding of who the Work Programme will serve, how the services may be configured, what the funding arrangements could look like, and how Serco will be working with subcontractor colleagues/stakeholders to prepare a response. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to give their input on how the programme should look. The London event will be taking place on 29th September at Regents College. To register please click here.

3rd September 2010

A mentor from the West London Working Business Partner Programme recently talked about her experiences of the programme in the Hounslow Chamber newsletter. To view the newsletter please click here and go to page 6.

27th August 2010

Ixion is seeking expressions of interest from local and national organisations to join them in delivering Employment Related Services through the new Work Programme. For more information and to submit an expression of interest click here.

25th August 2010

The DWP endorsed 'Framework Forum' is now live. This section of the Indus Delta website is intended as an area for potential prime and sub-contractors to begin discussions on the DWP Work Programme Framework competition and the Work Programme itself.

20th August 2010

The Skills Funding Agency has launched a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire for the provision of Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) services in England.
The PQQ notice was published on the 18th August and includes the London region. Any provider who is interested in tendering to deliver NEET provision in London must respond to this PQQ. Organisations already on the Qualified Provider Framework (QPF) list will NOT be automatically included and therefore need to respond to this PQQ.
In order to do so, interested organisations will need to register on the Skills Funding Agency e-tendering portal. Once registered providers will be given a username and password and can then go to the Skills Funding Agency website and access the Provider tab at the top of the page and then select New Providers (left hand side navigation menu). This will take them to a new page – at the bottom of the page there is a link to the Skills Funding Agency e-Tendering portal. The user then needs to select PQQs 'open to all' and select the option listed as 'ESF NEET for YPLA'. This then gives access to the option to 'express an interest' which moves into 'My PQQs'. The user is then able to access all the documentation and respond to the questionnaire located in the Technical Envelope.
Any queries interested organisations may have should only be directed to the Skills Funding Agency via the PQQ message Board – it is not appropriate to seek advice to questions via any other route in order to maintain the integrity and robustness of the process.
The PQQ contains basic questions about the organisation, financial standing, capacity and resources, capability and quality management. This PQQ will be open until 5PM on the 17th September with respondents being notified of results from the 4th October 2010.

17th August 2010

LDA Learning & Skills Commissioning Event 10 September 2010 - Please note this event is now fully booked
This event, organised by the LDA's Learning & Skills Directorate, is designed specifically for organisations that are involved in the delivery of skills, employment and youth activity in London.
The objectives of this event are to:
• Inform and engage partners on London's skills and employment landscape and the LDA's role in this area
• Prepare artners for forthcoming commissioning opportunities, namely the ESF Programme 2011-14
• Provide opportunities for partners to feedback on any aspects of the proposed commissioning activity.
For further information and to register please use the following link: LDA website

16th August 2010

Ingeus has been awarded the contract to deliver the West London Sustained Employment Programme (to be renamed), funded by London Development Agency and West London Working. The programme will be delivered across the six West London boroughs and will run for 2 years from October 1st. 2,000 economically inactive residents will be supported, with 600 people registering on the programme for 1:1 and training support into sustained employment.

The programme will target Incapacity Benefit claimants, lone parents (with a child under 7) and partners in low-income households who have been out of work for 12 months or longer.

Ingeus will be working in partnership with five local subcontractors across West London. Ingeus will deliver in Brent, Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham, with Catalyst Community Housing covering Harrow, Adult Training Network in Hounslow and P3 in Hillingdon. Ingeus will also work with Open Age to support over 50s accessing the provision and Urban Futures to help clients into employment at Heathrow Airport.

Ingeus is keen to establish referral routes with local partners and ensure that the service meets the needs of West London's most disadvantaged communities. If you would like to discuss how to refer people to the programme and how to work in partnership with Ingeus, please contact Ronan Smyth on rsmyth@ingeus.co.uk or on 07812 203492.

13th August 2010

Announcing the LSIS Support for Language, Literacy and Numeracy Programme 2010-11 - does your organisation need support with ESOL, Literacy or Numeracy provision? LLU+ at London South Bank University are leading the LSIS Support for Language, Literacy and Numeracy Programme 2010-11 in the London Region. This year's programme will provide free support for up to 100 providers in the London region to develop effective language, literacy and numeracy provision across eight key themes: 1.Whole Organisation Approach: Support for organisations to develop and implement a whole organisation approach to Skills for Life, 2.Embedding: Support for providers to embed Skills for Life within their provision, 3.Numeracy: Improve the quality and increase the quantity of numeracy provision, 4.Assessment: Support providers to implement monitor and evaluate assessment that supports learner success, 5.Employability: Embed employability skills within providers' programmes, 6.Flexibility: Develop flexible models of delivery, 7.New Approach for ESOL: Support providers in their responsiveness to the new Approach to ESOL, 8.Teacher Training: Capacity build the teacher and teacher training workforce.

This programme is for organisations that deliver, or is planning to deliver, ESOL, Literacy or Numeracy provision. To find out more, and to apply for the programme, please contact Clare Thomas on 020 7815 6286 or e-mail c.thomas@lsbu.ac.uk and Tom Horne on 020 7815 6272 or t.horne@lsbu.ac.uk

27th July 2010

Nominations for London European Social Fund (ESF) Awards 2010 now open. Providers funded by the London 2007-2013 ESF Programme can submit nominations to this year's ESF Awards. The event will be hosted at City Hall on 8 November with Mayor of London Boris Johnson opening the ceremony. To find out more please visit the London ESF Awards website. The deadline for nominations is 5pm 24 September 2010.

13th July 2010

The LDA is looking to launch its ESF 2011-2013 Programme later this year. In preparation for this launch, the LDA is currently engaged in detailed programme design to create specifications which take into account the current market for employment and skills support for adults and young people, and the capabilities and capacities of the potential supplier base. To this end, they are seeking information from a range of suppliers to inform their thinking around the development of the programme, by sending out a questionnaire requesting information from your organisation on a range of issues connected to matters such as your experience, skills, performance and governance structure. If you wish to take part in this information gathering exercise please send an e-mail to ESF-inforequest@lda.gov.uk and they will then issue you with an information pack and questionnaire.

7th July 2010

The City Strategy Learning Network supports the sharing of ideas and good practice amongst the 15 City Strategy Pathfinders. They have recently published a report on Learning the Lessons from City Strategy which features a case study on West London Working. To read the report please go the evaluation section on our publications page.

29th June 2010

Brunel University are running a free two-day workshop called Enterprising Attitudes which offers free and practical advice on setting up and running your own business. If any of the clients you work with would be interested in attending please click

here for more information and booking details.

1st June 2010

Attention Employers. Government Office London are working with London Local Authorities to assess whether there is sufficient childcare to meet the needs of families in the London area. They have prepared a short questionnaire for employers and welcome as many responses as possible in order that they can work with local childcare providers to review what they provide and when. Please spend a few minutes to complete the survey - and use the form to alert them to your contact details if you want further information. Childcare Sufficiency Survey for Employers.

25th May 2010

The next West London Working Confederation event has been announced and will be taking place on 10th June, 12.30pm - 16.30pm. This event will be centred around helping parents gain work and sustain it and will provide attendees wth practical solutions and best practice. For more information and to book your place please click here.

26th April 2010

London Borough of Ealing has launched the procurement of the West London Sustained Employment Programme. On behalf of the West London Alliance Boroughs, the Council of the London Borough of Ealing is seeking suitably skilled and experienced organisations to provide a minimum of 600 sustained jobs; and an end-to-end personalised support to workless residents from first contact with outreach services to on-the-job training and in-work support. For more information please follow this link www.ealing.gov.uk/services/business/procurement/tender_opportunities
Please see our Opportunities page for the West London Sustained Employment Networking Database and details of the Bidders Information Event.

28th April 2010

West London Working is looking for the valued opinions of providers who attend and use the Confederation and the online Directory. A focus group is taking place on 28th April in West London and all attendees will be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 Marks and Spencers voucher. To register please click here.

20th April 2010

The Personal Best Programme is holding a Recognition of Acheivement Event at the Indigo2 on Tuesday 8th June 2010. They are currently looking for West London Providers and Employers to exhibit at a Jobs and Skills fair which will take place prior to the recognition ceremony. There is no charge to exhibit at the fair. Around 800 people are expected at the fair with around 200 of those expected to be West London residents. Anyone wishing to exhibit should contact leon@thames-gateway.org.uk for further information and to express their interest by the end of April. For more information on the Personal Best Programme please go to www.personalbestprogramme.co.uk.

15th April 2010

The Financial Services Authority have recently launched a website containing impartial advice on personal finance. The site has a section on everything from credit cards to insurance and inclides information on Tax and Benefits. www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk

25th March 2010

West London Working is holding a free workshop on Thursday 25th March - Keeping ahead of the game: building adaptability for the new contracting environment. There will also be an opportunity to book a one to one ten minute surgery session to get expert advice on; funding streams; Marketing; developing your offer and Leadership and Partnerships. For more information and to book a place click here.

16th March 2010

West London Working have launched a new online survey to evaluate the Directory of Providers. The directory was launched in August 2008 and was designed for Personal Advisors to help them to locate providers of employability services for their clients. West London Working is keen to hear what users think of the directory; how easy it is to use and how useful it is. To give your views please use the link on the directory home page or click here.

12th March 2010

Contracting opportunity in Hounslow: Leading by Example: Public Sector Jobs for Socially Excluded Adults. The London Borough of Hounslow is inviting expressions of interest from suppliers to deliver a local supported employment service - deadline for expressions of interest is 19 March 2010 at 12:00. Please click here for more information.

10th March 2010

Building Consortia - free workshop. The West London Working Capacity Building Programme for providers continues with a workshop on Building Consortia. For more information and to book your place please click here.

24th February 2010

Hammersmith and Fulham Action on Disability are offering free training to third sector organisations in West London on Tools to improve employment outcomes for disabled people. For more information please click

here.

24th February 2010

Dragon's Den : Perfect Your Pitch! On 24th February as part of the capacity building programme run by West London Working small employment providers are invited to a free interactive workshop which will help providers communicate their mission, projects and successes clearly and confidently. Places are limited. For more information on how to book your place please click here.

17th February 2010

The Young Persons Guarantee was officially launched in January 2010. The scheme gurantees 18-24 years olds who have been unemployed over six months on offer of a job, training or work experience. All young people will be given a leaflet to advise them of the opportunties available in their area. A copy of the leaflet can be found

here.

17th February 2010

Park Royal Workforce have been appointed to deliver the West London Working Business Partner Programme Pilot. They are looking for businesses and providers to take part in the programme, for more information and contact details please click here.

10th February 2010

The London Development Agency has launched The London Skills and Employment Observatory website. The website brings together information and data on London's labour market in one place which is completely free to use. The site is designed for anyone involved in the design and delivery of employment and skills services in London. www.lseo.org.uk

10th February 2010

Cutting A Deal:negotiation training. On 10th February West London Working is holding a free negotiation workshop for providers. This free training has been designed to help smaller providers understand their negotiation position when contracting for provision with other providers, develop their negotiation skills and help provide the skills and knowledge to negotiate the best possible deal for their organisation. For more information on the workshop and to book your place click here.

9th February 2010

Refugees in effective and Active Partnership (REAP) are holding an event on Tuesday 9th February, 10am-2pm in Ealing. Working with the West London BME&R Network, the event is looking at how BME&R organisations could work in partnership in order to access funding. For details on how to book your place please click

here.

29th January 2010

The London Child Poverty Group has organised a free workshop for employer-facing professionals around understanding the benefits of part-time working to an employer. For more information on how to attend please ckick

here.

28th January 2010

West London Working is holding another free seminar for employment related service providers on 28th January 2010. It is an afternoon session on Mental Health and Work: Policy and Practice and lunch will also be provided. Key Topics covered include Practitioner Approaches; Life Coaching and Employment; Policy and Strategy; The nationwide mental health and employment strategy and Right to Control Pilots. For more information and to book your place please click here.

13th January 2010

On the 4th of January DWP launched a call for further evidence on the Pathways To Work programme. They arelooking for feedback from customers, representative organisations, service providers and employers. For more information and to find out how your organisation can give valuable feedback please click here

11th January 2010

The DWP Financial Inclusion Champions are seeking proposals from Third Sector not for profit organisations to support small-scale financial inclusion initiatives. There is a closing date of 29th Jan 10. Click here for more information.

10th December 2009

West London Working is holding a free workshop for providers on 'Consortia Building'. Joining forces with other providers in a consortium or special purpose vehicle can help put you in a stronger position for contracting and commissioning opportunities. This is a free workshop with training and advice. For further information and to book your place please click here

26th November 2009

West London Working is launching a Capacity Building Programme to help small to medium sized employment related service providers. The first session is on 26th November and space is limited to 15 delegates. For more information click here

12th November 2009

The LDA have published a new report, Staying In, Moving Up: Employment Retention and Progression in London. The report highlights the barriers Londoners face in achieving this and brings together best practice from around the UK. To read the report please click here

27th October 2009

Uxbridge College has two new programmes to help individuals and employers in the present economic climate. Gateway Heathrow 2012 is a new European Social Fund programme led by the London Borough of Hillingdon with training and support delivered by Uxbridge College. It is aimed at those who would like to work in the Hospitality and Tourism sectors. For more information for employers click

here, for individuals click

here. Accelerate aims to help those who are long term unemployed, have been raising a family, or have been made redundant and living in Harefield, Northwood Hills and South Ruislip wards. The project enables participants to access free training and support to help them find a job and get back into work. Click here for more information on

Accelerate.

19th October 2009

West London Working have pulled together a comprehensive contact list for short-listed suppliers on the Flexible New Deal 2 contracts for West London. The list details how providers can get in contact with the short-listed suppliers in order to discuss any sub-contracting opportunities each supplier may have. Please see our 'Publications' page for more details and a link to the list.

13th October 2009

The Place West London Conference is taking place on 13th October. The conference will bring together representatives from local, regional and central government with key stakeholders from locally based businesses, the construction, property and investment sectors. The aim of the event is to "chart a strategic course for development and regeneration in the west of London". For more information and to register as a delegate for the event please click here.

12th October 2009

DWP have just published details of bidders who have been successful at PQQ stage for the Flexible New Deal contracts. For more information click here

9th October 2009

Serco are holding a Flexible New deal event in Ealing aimed at organisations from the public, private and third sectors who are interested in becoming part of their delivery network. Serco's approach to Flexible New Deal is to act as a Prime Contractor, challenging and supporting a network of the best national and local welfare-to work providers and integrating them effectively with specialist, community based organisations. For more information and to confirm your attendance please click

here.

14th September 2009

West London Working invites you to a free workshop on Thursday 24th September to help you make the most of contracting opportunities. Especially designed for smaller and medium size employability and skills providers, come and hear Louise Capel-Cure of prime contractor Work Directions talk about current contracting opportunities. This will be followed by a practical session on developing your unique selling points, tips for targeted communication and networking so you can get to know providers in your neighbourhood. Lunch is at 1pm and the session ends at 3.30pm. It is hosted by A4E, Suite 3, Apex Court, Woodger Road, Hammersmith, W12 8QT. To register for this event click here.

8th September 2009

Uxbridge College are offering free advice and support for adults looking for a career change or to simply get back into employment. For more information on what's on offer click

here.

14th August 2009

Capital Ambition are hosting an event on behalf of DWP called Connecting People to Work: Developing your strategy for increasing ethnic minority employment. If you are interested in attending please click

here to download an invitation to the event.

2nd August 2009

The Mayor announced the launch of the Childcare Affordability Programme 2009 on 6 August. CAP09, which will support over 2,000 parents into work over the next two years through £12m of LDA funding and further funding from DCSF, is a key programme to tackle child poverty by raising parental employment. Subject to the parties entering into grant agreements with the LDA Brent and Ealing are taking part in the 'Subsided Offer' pilot that will see parents offered a subsidy on top of childcare tax credit and will also give the boroughs more flexibility in how they choose to spend that subsidy. For more information click here.

2nd July 2009

The London Development Agency has launched the second round of funding for its Community Grants Programme. They are running a number of workshops to guide interested groups through the application process. For more information click here

15 May 2009

West London Working launch its first Employment Bulletin with statistics from across the West London region. To download a copy click

here

14 May 2009

West London Working is hosting an event for skills and employment providers 'Build Your Bid '- presenting your specialist offer to prime contractors'. For more information and to register, click here

10 March 2009

Hayes Business Studios (part of Uxbridge College) are looking to support new companies that will become the local big employers of tomorrow in the Hayes/Uxbridge area. And to do this HBS is offering subsidised office space for new business start ups or for companies trading for less than 12 months. To find out more on what Hayes Business Studio has to offer local business start ups in the local Hayes/ Uxbridge area by click

here

6 March 2009

On 17 December 2008 Ministers announced that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was making £79million of European Social Fund (ESF) money to help customers in England, as unemployment rises. A portion of this money is available for the tendering of new ESF contracts. A provider event is planned for London on 6 March 2009. For more information click here

26 February 2009

DWP are holding events for providers to make them aware of the contracts that will be tendered in the near future. Is your organisation innovative, able to deliver or oversee the delivery of quality provision to high standards and offer value for money? If yes, then you should attend to hear about new commissioning opportunities. The London Event will be held on 26 February 2009 in the Novotel, St Pancras. For more information and to find out how to reserve your place see a copy of the advert

here.

24 February 2009

Skills and Learning for London Learning Partnership is running a workshop for practitioners who are supporting people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities into sustainable employment. The workshop is aimed at Further Education Colleges, voluntary organisations and training providers to look at strategies to engage employers. The event is free and run in Marble Arch. For more information download a booking form

here.

3 February 2009

West London Working publishes the findings from its Feasibility Study for the West London Working Passport. Copies of the reports can be found here

29 January 2009

West London Working is currently evaluating the effectiveness of the Directory of Employment Services and needs your views. Click Here to take survey

8 September 2008

Are you listed on the West London Working Directory of Employment Services?
We are currently completing the research and testing before launching our new online directory and are encouraging all organisations that receive public funding to operate employment related services in West London to set up an entry. Contact by clicking here or email info@westlondonworking.org.uk to see if your organisation is already listed and to receive a form to create an entry.