Whitebox Digital
Using the Digital Economy to help ESA Claimants
Why the Digital Economy?
Why the Digital Economy? “Digital technology is the single biggest lever for productivity and competitiveness across every sector of the economy, it will underpin the majority of future job creation in western economies” (2010) e-skills Cultural Skill/Strategic Skills Assessment for the Digital Economy
Why the Digital Economy? Digital economy is 4.1% of GDP This will rise by 182% by 2016 Over the next 5 years over half a million new IT and Telecoms professionals will be needed
Why the Digital Economy? Digital economy most socially inclusive of all sectors providing better equality of opportunity Workstations people use can be easily adapted to meet different ability needs Work can be done from home, in offices or a blend of the two
Barriers holding people back James from London with Spina Bifida advised to set sights low and become a checkout assistant or cctv operator Lee from Glasgow with cerebral palsy advised to expect a low quality of life and also to set his sights low with regards employment
Barriers holding people back Lack of quality training provision across UK to train people into digital careers Small and medium-sized businesses not engaged enough in tackling unemployment
Whitebox Digital
A digital business involved in welfare-to-work
Trainees work in a modern office environment Spare desks used for taster days for prospective trainees
4 Whitebox staff
16 trainees 4 spare seats
Career path 1: Modern business worker / entrepreneurship “89% of supervisors report Microsoft Office certified workers are more productive and require less supervision”
Career paths: Business workers across all sectors of the economy
Career path 2: Desktop support technician
“Over half a million new IT and Telecoms professionals needed over the next five years”
Career paths: - Technical support specialist - Field service technician - IT support technician - IT support administrator - IT support specialist
Soft skills curriculum
Create projects with local charities to develop soft skills: - Drive / work ethic - Communication - Teamwork - Problem solving
Belbin reports to identify and articulate strengths in teams
Popup Skills Academies First pilot rollout
Won £1M Future Jobs Fund contract to create 233 apprenticeships Of 233 people… - 204 aged18-24 - 29 aged 25+
Popped Whatup is Web 2.0? in 7 towns and cities Trained people from 6 months to 19 years unemployed
WORKING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
Trainees working in modern office environment Intensive training delivered by staff and external trainers
Worcester trainees fundraising for charity working with children with learning difficulties Trainees run projects from conception to completion
Of 233 trainees… - 229 people graduated programme (98%) - 8 moved into full-time education (3%) - 124 moved into employment (54%)
Before programme
After programme
Fiona, 19 years unemployed
Employed Charity Administrator
Francis, exoffender with drug issues
Employed IT Technician
James on disability benefits
Employed IT Technician
Thank you David Barker - Whitebox Digital
[email protected] www.twitter.com/d_barker
