GECKO is a member of the Third Sector Consortium (3SC), the organisation that is the voluntary sector national lead for the Department of Work and Pension's Future Jobs Fund, aiming to develop additional jobs for workless young people, in roles that are rewarding for the individual and also have a positive community impact.
3SC have been successful in gaining a national contract to create 2800 jobs by this time next year. GECKO's contribution will be to create 340 jobs in the East and West Midlands with third sector creative, cultural, heritage and media organisations.
The roles will be additional and will also benefit the community. The roles can focus on content and performance, or may be support roles: sales and customer service, administration and research.
Employing organisations
It is expected that these organisations will be legal entities that are not-for-profit, or have a discrete project that is clearly of community benefit.
The jobs
Within the consortium, we have proposed 340 employment opportunities in community arts organisations (120), arts venues (100), arts groups (100), and community radio stations (20).
All of the posts will be additional to the establishment afforded by routine operations and grant receipt.
Each of the jobs is to last for at least 26 weeks. GECKO will fund such jobs at the minimum wage rate, for 25 hours per wek, for 26 weeks. Employers' NI will also be paid. Without grant aid, employers may pay a higher hourly rate, for more hours per week, and for a longer period of employment.
The posts will be administrative, technical, and artistic, and promote expression and community engagement – as economically active citizens and as people bringing art and entertainment to communities.
Eligible individuals
Nationally, this programme is aimed at young people, aged 18 to 24, who have been unemployed for over six months (26 - 50 weeks of claiming). Inividuals aged over 25, who reside in "unemployment hotspots" will also be eligible. These "hotspots" are listed as wards within the Midlands.
GECKO will assist you to recruit from your network, your volunteers, and from your local JobCentre.
Supporting the new employee
We anticipate that, in the main, the employing organisations will be experienced in nurturing young interest and talent, as employees and as volunteers. All participating employing organisations will be supported to recruit, devise individual development plans, and coach the progress of the individual towards future and sustainable employment.
Progression to sustainable employment and further training
These job roles should develop transferable skills that support the participant to gain and keep employment after the FJ job has ended; developing sales, customer handling, teamwork and IT skills.
Whilst in employment in a FJ role, participants are eligible for Train to Gain, to gain vocational qualifications at levels 2 and 3, and qualifications in Basic Skills.
The jobs for technical staff in venues and with community arts groups may develop capabilities in stage sets, lighting and sound, which can be further developed through Apprenticeships. This fund can be linked to Apprenticeships, and used to contribute to the overall funding of an Apprenticeship completion.
Sector engagement
The sector has been responsive to this call to support young people and communities. To date, 93 FJ opportunities have been agreed with employers.
We have so far placed 21 unemployed young people into employment, with number growing daily.
The organisations with vacancies currently being advertised by the JCP Service are:
- Birmingham Royal Ballet
- Zip Theatre
- CMAT
- East African Radio
- Gecko Arts & Media
- Sankofa
- Aston fm
- St Nicolas Place
- Nu Century Arts
- New Vic Theatre
- The Cultural Sisters
- Birmingham Pen Museum
- Birmingham Hippodrome
- Theatre Absolute
- Blue Eyed Soul
- Birmingham University
- Orchestra Of The Swan
- Royal Birmingham Society Of Artists
- Moitionhouse
- Talking Birds Theatre Co.
- Talking Drums
- The Old Smithy
- Qube
- Dancexchange
- Royal Shakespeare Company
- Outside Centre
- Imagineer
- Cosford Air Museum
- Open Theatre Company
- Radio Dawn
- Tulip Lincoln
- Kohinoor Radio Leicester
- Northampton Arts
If you are interested in offering Future Jobs jobs within your organisation, please complete this form, or call Nik Roberts, who is promoting this project, on our Future Jobs number:
01902 837402
