Housing associations have a long tradition of helping
tenants into work. But government plans, announced in the July budget, to scrap
housing benefit for unemployed 18-21 year olds, have created a new urgency to
support young people in their job quests. Most offer much more than a
job-finding service; as well as identifying and motivating their young jobless
tenants, schemes such as Circle’s Routes 2 Work programme provide training in
basic employability skills and many continue to provide support once tenants
are in work. Circle offers apprenticeships in its own organisation and through
partnerships with others. Its procurement process requires potential suppliers
to offer apprenticeships or work experience, often in construction but also in
sectors such as law. Read more on the Guardian website.
