Strive 2 Work Project

STRIVE 2 WORK is financed by the European Social Fund, the Department for Employment and Learning and the Department for Social Development.

STRIVE 2 WORK is an employability model which matches the supply- and demand-side of the local labour market. The aim of the project is to help unemployed, long-term unemployed or economically inactive people in the Derry and Strabane District Council Areas move into work and sustain that employment. Some people within these groupings may need extra assistance in addressing their current barriers to finding and keeping work. To this end, Cresco will deliver core employability (STRIVE) and pre-employment training to enhance the skills levels of participants and to offer vocational guidance and counselling activities to develop their work aspirations and help them take action on their specific barriers to employment. Upon successful completion of this pre-employment training phase, participants will have direct access to a pool of vacancies for which they can apply. Cresco, in partnership with Business in the Community, will liaise closely with local employers via a structured Employers' Forum (EF) to establish this pool of job vacancies and to identify future skills gaps. Ongoing support will be offered to those participants who secure employment by means of a 'Workforce Buddies' mentoring scheme aimed to help them settle into their workplace and make the transition to employment. Business in the Community will continue to support employers as they address the challenges of helping those who have recently been unemployed, long-term unemployed or economically inactive make the transition to work. Cresco will continue to work with those participants not securing employment to enhance their employability and overcome their barriers to work.

STRIVE 2 WORK has the following project objectives:

1. To deliver training to those who are currently experiencing employment gaps within the local labour market with a view to enhancing their employability.

2. To create sectoral and geographic clusters of local employers and to liaise with them in identifying current and future skills gaps, devising innovative strategies to address these gaps.

3. To provide an interface between disadvantaged jobseekers and potential employers, facilitating the recruitment process and assisting with recruitment procedures for both sides of the labour market.

4. To provide ongoing support for disadvantaged jobseekers as they move into work to ensure that they sustain employment.

5. To provide ongoing support for employers recruiting from individuals with potential barriers to employment as employers assist them in addressing these barriers and in integrating into the workforce.

STRIVE 2 WORK aims to increase the employment rate within an area of persistent unemployment, high long-term unemployment and high economic inactivity for groups which are currently experiencing employment gaps in the local labour market. These target groups include women, lone parents, young unemployed people, young people not in education, employment or training, those with health conditions or disabilities, older people and people with no/low qualifications as well as those experiencing multiple barriers to employment.

STRIVE 2 WORK will do this by enhancing the employability of the target groups through the development of appropriate workforce skills and through addressing barriers to employment.

What is STRIVE?

The STRIVE model is an intensive three week employment training programme that focuses on the soft- skills needed to obtain and retain employment. Individuals involved in the programme learn essential on-the-job skills such as appropriate workplace behaviour and communication, acceptable workplace attire and how to work as part of a team. Attitude and confidence have been identified as crucial elements that will assist work readiness.

In addition to essential soft-skills, participants gain access to mentored job assistance, which includes continued support such as long term career planning and the use of job search resources.

The STRIVE Programme is a completely new model for Northern Ireland. STRIVE (Support and Training Results In Valuable Employees) is an American model first piloted in East Harlem, New York in 1985. Since then it has experienced enormous success rates and has rapidly spread across the United States, London, Israel and Scotland.

The STRIVE programme is beneficial to anyone in need of employment assistance, but specifically addresses the critical needs of the long term unemployed, offering a path into the workforce.

Four basic principles underlie the STRIVE Philosophy:

1. Significant numbers of people who have been considered "unemployable" want to work and can succeed in employment.

2. Personal development, not just technical skills, is crucial to anyone's success in the workplace - personal responsibility, long term goals, and self management is central to positive work experiences.

3. Employment offers the best and most rapid leverage in overcoming problems of the economically disadvantaged.

4. On-going support is essential for people as they gradually stabilise their circumstances and move forward.