Employment Project

The Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) project delivers a comprehensive re-engagement package of recruitment; work experience; training; personal development; job search skills; mentoring; support; and aftercare.  It is designed to provide a long-term holistic solution for the client group.  The approach is based upon moving disabled people from the exclusion and marginalisation they historically experience in accessing and retaining employment to empowerment by taking control of their own access requirements, gain real paid work experience, nationally recognised qualifications and ultimately sustainable employment.

The ILM project is designed to provide real hard outcomes, in terms of qualifications and work experience, but also focuses on development of core skills, confidence building, self-esteem and empowerment.  This holistic approach to the development of participants ensures that they gain soft skills in addition to qualifications, providing them with the skills needed by employers.

Employment Solutions has provided employment, training and personal development opportunities to one-hundred and three disabled people over the past six and a half years (as of November 2007). The programme has developed from a 12 place ILM to a comprehensive range of employment re-engagement services.  An independent evaluation was carried out by Montgomery Housing Consultants in 2006/7.  The report covered: inception/data review; focus group with participants; telephone survey with placement providers; staff interviews and reporting procedures. The main findings were as follows:

Feedback from Participants:  “Don’t think I would be in the position I am today without GCIL.  The situation I was in it was paramount that I got this kind of support.”  “Without GCIL I wouldn’t have been employed in my opinion.  My access requirements had previously put employers off I think.”

Feedback from placement providers:   “We gained a great insight into the issues confronting disabled people.”  ”GCIL is an excellent organisation.”  “Participant made a valuable contribution to the organisation.” “We felt that it was important to create opportunities for disabled people.”  The overall view of the placement organisations was positive and many agreed to take another placement in the next intake. 

Project Management: The main strength of the project as seen by the management and participants is that it supports the most disadvantaged, can solve access issues and get people into work that would not have been otherwise.

For more information regarding the Open Door Employment Project, please download the following document GCIL Open Door - Sept 2012.pdf