Pennie Varvarides 28 April 2014

Public procurement can help reduce youth unemployment, report finds

Public sector contractors could be creating thousands of jobs for marginalised young people, according to a new report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).

The report, Tackling poverty through public procurement, says placing a requirement on contractors to undertake targeted recruitment and training would generate many additional job-with-training opportunities for people entering the labour market.

It argues that by linking this to existing apprenticeship, training and job-search provisions, it could be done at little extra cost.

This approach is widely used in Scotland and Wales, and by some English local authorities. However, it has rarely been adopted in contracts issued by the UK government, where the report argues its uptake could have the biggest impact.

‘Do young people need to stand in line behind the more skilled and experienced before they get the chance of the job-with-training that will make them more employable,’ asked report author Richard MacFarlane.

‘Targeted recruitment and training can help address the lack of opportunity experienced by young people. This is an approach that is now ready to be scaled-up through action across UK government procurement, to help address a problem that may otherwise scar the lives of a generation of job-seekers.’

The longest-running example of the approach is provided by Glasgow Housing Association, through its complex housing improvement contracts. Between 2005 and 2013 over 1,100 apprentices and trainees obtained a total of 60,000 weeks of employment across a wide range of trade disciplines.

‘The case studies in this report show how the public procurement process can be used to address poverty and deliver significant benefits to local communities,’ adds JRF policy and research manager John Low.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£57072 - £58072 per annum
We are looking for qualified and HCPC registered Educational Psychologists or Year 3 Trainee Educational Psychologists to join our thriving, progressi England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Senior Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£66555 - £67555 per annum
As a result of internal promotions within our service we are looking for committed Senior Educational Psychologists to join us in our work to shape th England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Principal Accountant

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East, we have a budget of around £1.3 billion which helps us provide services to more than 5 Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Mechanical Foreman

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within Building and Facilities Management for a Mechanical Foreman working full time 37 hours.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?    Within a co Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Occupational Health Physiotherapist

Durham County Council
£40,777 to £45,091 p.a. (Grade 11)
An exciting opportunity has arisen with Durham County Council to join our well established ‘in house’ Occupational Health Service in making a positiv Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner