Plan to get Lancashire working

A plan designed to Get Lancashire Working has been given the backing of the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA).  

The scheme aims to help people develop their skills so they can gain employment or get a better paid, more permanent job.

The plan includes the launch of Connect to Work, a large scale supported employment programme which is due to go live in Lancashire over the summer, which is focused on people who currently struggle to find a job because they have a health condition, disability, caring responsibilities and/or other challenges to gaining sustained employment.

The scheme is part of the Government's Get Britain Working plans which were announced in November and aims to boost the employment rate across the country.

Members of the LCCA heard at a meeting on Tuesday that the plan for the county is being developed by The Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council alongside key partners including district councils, Integrated Care Board, JobCentre Plus, skills and employment providers and the voluntary sector.

Headlines will be submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions for consideration at the end of the month, before the final plans are presented to the LCCA in September for approval.

The plan includes:

• an analysis of key local labour market challenges and drivers relating to the rise in economic inactivity;
• a plan of action regarding how partners will work together to better integrate work, health and skills provision to drive improvements in the employment rate;
• an overview of the current landscape of support for individuals and employers;
• actions for the next 12-24 months and steps towards achieving longer-term improvements in the employment rate;
• details of the governance and partnership approach;
• detail of how wider stakeholders will be engaged.

Coun Stephen Atkinson, chairman of the LCCA and leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "This is a really important plan which will make a real difference to hundreds of people of all ages across the county.

"Making sure people have the opportunity to learn the right skills for good quality jobs is incredibly important to the CCA.

"We also want to make sure that everyone is given the chance to secure good employment, and they do not feel disadvantaged just because they may have a health condition or caring responsibilities.

"Giving opportunities to our young people and helping them into the job market is also a major priority for the CCA."

Coun Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “This is exactly why the CCA is important and demonstrates it has the power to change lives for the better.

"We are focused on collaboration and sharing of expertise on the issues that matter the most. Making sure our residents have the skills to take advantage of opportunities is one of our main three priorities and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact of this plan.”

Coun Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, added: “This is a great example of the CCA working together to get the best outcome for everybody in Lancashire.

“We know that finding quality jobs, regardless of ability, age or circumstance is massively important for people. “We’re working together to find additional support to ensure that anybody who needs support to learn new skills and find a job can access it, wherever they live in Lancashire.”