European Social Fund in England

European visit to Sheffield City Council’s Future:proof initiative

Future:proof is Sheffield City Council’s response to the need for opportunities for 16-19 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) and is jointly funded by the European Social Fund and the Learning and Skills Council.

Georges Kintzele, European Commission Head of Unit for the UK and

Ken Lambert, Head of the ESF Managing Authority meet Future:proof providers

Launched in September 2008 with a budget of £1.5 million, it features 28 programmes designed with young people in mind. These include vocational opportunities in driving and logistics, construction, media and sport with a view to other sectors being added following a successful first tranche.

There’s also engagement work in the geographical NEET hotspots of Sheffield, pre-employability courses to develop skills in preparation for the economic upturn, and programmes for the most vulnerable young people in the jobs market. Those taking part include teen parents, learners with difficulties or disabilities and young offenders.

Now extended to December 2010, 1,167 places have been commissioned and work is well underway to achieve the ambitious 65% progression rate Future:proof has set itself. Already 217 teenagers have completed or are under going assessment and 197 have started courses or vocational work.

In July, the European Commission Head of Unit for the UK, Ireland and Latvia, Georges Kintzele, visited Sheffield to see how the project is working.

Georges was impressed by the young people he spoke to and the programmes he saw.

“The projects visited were really excellent and gave me a good ‘insider view’ of what can be achieved on the ground with ESF in the UK,” he commented.

Eighteen-year-old Katie from North Sheffield has just completed the Mams Too Future:proof programme for teenage parents.

“Before I started the course I was in the house all day with my 18-month-old daughter Casey,” she said. “I didn’t have the confidence to enrol in college or leave Casey in childcare.”

Katie signed up to the programme to improve her numeracy and literacy skills and get help to get into college.

While on the programme she gained Level 1 qualifications in Maths and English, benefited from careers advice and met a lot of people in the same situation.

“The course was really useful,” she said. “It helped me to figure out what I want to do and I am currently applying for a childcare course at college.”