WiSE

"Providing real opportunities for work"

WiSE is part of Framework's response to high levels of worklessness amongst the vulnerable populations that our services reach out to. Framework recognises that to create really sustainable outcomes for many of our clients we need to help them make the first steps into employment and out of benefit dependence and social exclusion.

Framework has now received funding from the Department of Work and Pensions to develop Wise over the next three years.

WiSE stands for Working into Sustainable Employment. WiSE aims to:

to increase the number of service users and former service users who work for Framework
to help trainees to develop work ready skills prior to a job placement
to give opportunities to develop those skills and participate in a genuine work environment
to give service users the opportunity to give back to support services
to give trainees a real wage
to lead by example in the community by employing our service users and former service users.

Definitions: WiSE is a programme for the work-ready unemployed who are current or ex service users of any support service. We provide training, support around employment and paid traineeships within Framework and a range of other organisations.

Mission: Our mission is to support current and ex users of services to develop work ready skills, and to provide real work opportunities.

Objectives: Over 200 individuals will start on the programme. We expect at least one third of these trainees will have sustainable (at least 13 weeks) employment at the end of the programme. All trainees will have a named caseworker. All trainees will have access to an accredited training programme.

Eligibility criteria: Service users and former service users of the following services for at least three months:

Framework or other homeless charity
Drug or alcohol support agencies
Criminal Justice Agencies e.g. prison, probation, Youth Offending Teams
Mental health services
Social Services

Individuals should be self motivated and independent and want to work. They should be unemployed or not working and living in Nottinghamshire or the City of Nottingham and aged over 19. We particularly welcome applications from people who have low or no qualifications, have a disability or health condition or are from a BME community.

For further information e-mail wise@frameworkha.org.