Notice to Providers

8 December 2008

Day 1 access to Programme Centre provision

Dear Provider,

Issue

1. The WWEG Delivery Board has agreed to relax Programme Centre eligibility rules.

Background

2. To support those affected by the economic downturn, the WWEG Delivery Board has agreed to relax Programme Centre eligibility rules. This will allow Day 1 access to provision at adviser discretion.

3. Advisers already have the discretion to allow early entry for those who are considered to be at a disadvantage in the labour market. However, this is to be extended to allow advisers to make a judgement as to whether a customer, who does not satisfy the usual early entry criteria, would benefit by this early intervention.

4. The type of customers who would benefit from this support might be those who have not competed for jobs recently because of long term employment. Access to Programme Centre provision at an early stage of unemployment would provide such customers with an up to date CV and the skills required to enable them to conduct effective job search leading to a quick return to work.

Next Steps

5. Those providers who deliver Programme Centre provision are to note that this change will take immediate effect. Therefore, you should be aware that you may start to see an increase in the number of customers being referred to Programme Centre provision over the next few weeks. If any provider feels there may be capacity issues they should discuss this with their Contract Manager.

Yours sincerely

Dianne Harper

Commercial Employment Provision
Commercial Procurement Programme Management Team Leader