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The Future Jobs Fund is a £1 billion fund to provide 150,000 jobs over an 18 month period (October 2009-March 2011). The fund was announced in the 2009 Budget and has been set up as a response to the recession and rising levels of unemployment – in particular amongst 18-24 year olds and in “unemployment hotspots”. Its aim is to avoid, or minimise, the impact of long-term unemployment for individuals and for the future of the economy. Consequently it only covers individuals on Job Seekers Allowance.

The Future Jobs Fund invites organisations to submit bids for funding. It is run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG).

Who can bid?

Bids can come from anyone in Great Britain, but there is a strong preference for partnership bids. The majority of bids are expected to be led by local authorities, sub-regional, city region and local partnerships, or by national or local public sector and third sector bodies.

As a minimum, each bid will need to demonstrate that:

• At least 30 jobs will be created per bid
• Jobs will last for at least 6 months, provide work for 25 hours or more per week and be paid at least at the national minimum wage
• All jobs are suitable for long term unemployed young people between 18 and 24, or people in unemployment “hotspots”
• Jobs are additional – i.e. they would not exist without jobs fund funding and are sustainable;
• The work done will benefit local communities
• The work will be underway quickly

Help and support available...

Jobcentre Plus will be a key partner in the referral and support process for Future Jobs Fund employers. People will be referred to Future Jobs Fund employers following discussions with their Personal Advisor. Bidders should discuss with Jobcentre Plus whether their bid assumes that any of the jobs created will go to people over the age of 24, particularly in ‘unemployment hotspots’.

In each Government Office, there are people available to help you prepare your bids. The people to contact in the West Midlands region are: 

1. John Perkins on 0121 352 5351 or email john.perkins@gowm.gsi.gov.uk
2. Chris Eade on 0121 352 5138 or email christine.eade@gowm.gsi.gov.uk  

Application deadline...

There is no deadline. Bids will be assessed on a rolling basis starting the assessment process after 30 June 2009. They aim to assess bids and notify bidders within five weeks of the bid being submitted. It may then take up to eight weeks for successful bidders to be ready for the first employee to start – although in some cases it may be considerably quicker.

You should aim to submit your bid at least twelve weeks before you would anticipate the first job starting. For example, if you wish to have jobs in place by October 2009 your bid should be submitted by 30 June. If you intend to recruit your first employee in January, then submit the bid by the end of September. 
 
Bids should be submitted to future.jobsfund@dwp.gsi.gov.uk