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The Work Programme
19 Oct 2011
National Conference. To be held at Westminster Studio, 10 Greycoat Place, London, SW1

Headline Speakers

The Work Programme, announced within the 2010 Spending Review, is set to replace the current Welfare to Work Agenda - emphasising the need for tailored support. The Work Programme contracts will be worth between £3-5bn over seven years and organisations will be paid using the benefit savings made from getting people into work.

It is hoped that these initiatives will support more than one million people back into work

The benefits of tackling worklessness are endless, including reducing poverty, supporting the most vulnerable and breaking the cycle of benefit dependency. That said, the implementation of drastic policy developments are likely to create as much doubt as excitement especially around equality of access, customer care, accessing contracts and effective partnership working.

This conference will provide you the opportunity to hear from sector leaders, government and academics who will provide analysis and best practice examples in implementing, accessing and overcoming the potential opportunities and hurdles of the Work Programme.

Programme
10:00
Kirsty McHugh, CEO, Employment Related Services Association
Welcome and introduction from conference Chair

10:10
Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP Minister for Employment
Keynote Address: Helping one million people back to work

10:30
Alan Cave, Delivery Directorate, Employment Group, Department for Work and Pensions
Delivering the Government’s new strategy: engagement and contract management

11:00
Questions and discussion: Session 1
11:15
Refreshments, networking and exhibition
11:45
Stuart Vere, Chair of Avanta and Chair of Financial and Commercial Forum, Employment Related Services Association
Understanding the financial model and reward structure of the Work Programme

12:05
Alison Bunney, Business Development Director, Seetec
Experience from a Prime contractor: tailoring support to meet users’ needs

12:25
Panel discussion: What lessons can be learnt about keeping people in work for more than a year? Fair access to contracts for the voluntary sector?
Introduction by: Dave Simmonds OBE, Chief Executive, Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion to be joined by Session Speakers

13:00
Buffet Lunch, networking and exhibition
14:00
Seminar 1: Preparing customers for the workplace
Improving job search and getting people ready for work: Fran Parry, Director of Policy. Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion. Round table debate: what can local authorities and registered providers do to help people back into work? Andrew Jones, Director, Local Economy Policy Unit (Lepu).

14:00
Seminar 2: The role of local authorities
Engaging with the work programmes’ prime contractors: Chris Minter, Head of Adult Skills and Learning Service, Leicester City Council. Round table debate: Adapting to new environments: Gordon Keenan, Head of funding and partnerships, The National Housing Federation.

14:00
Seminar 3: Overcoming obstacles to employment
Accessing funding for skills training: Paul Warner,Director of Learning and Skills, Association of Learning Providers. Supporting the 50+ Nick Bunting, UK CEO, PRIME.

15:00
Refreshments, networking and exhibition
15:25
Heather Jameson, Deputy Editor, The MJ
Welcome and introduction from afternoon Chair

15:30
Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Shadow Employment Minister
Afternoon keynote address

15:45
Professor Peter Nolan, Montague Burton Professor of Industrial Relations, Director ESRC Future of Work Programme
Wages, productivity and economic performance: the (likely) legacy of the UK Work Programme

16:00
James Farr, New Economy Manchester
The Work Programme in practice

16:15
Panel discussion: The role of subcontractors; ensuring consistency of service delivery through multiple providers
Panel to be formed of Session Speakers