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| Lincoln gets scheme to help a million off incapacity benefit | |
| 13 September 2007 Lincolnshire and Rutland gets scheme to help a million off incapacity benefit Lincolnshire and Rutland will soon be benefiting from a national Government scheme aiming to help a million people, across the UK, move from incapacity benefits and into work. The Department for Work and Pensions programme, called Pathways to Work, will be run by private sector provider TNG across Lincolnshire and Rutland. The programme will use trained employment advisors to help people overcome their personal barriers and find appropriate jobs. Those claiming incapacity benefits will be offered mentoring to help them into appropriate jobs, and be given ongoing support once in work, to ensure that their move away from benefits is not short-lived. The scheme will offer individually-tailored support which will include help searching for jobs, motivation courses, work experience and occupational training. Advice and support in starting up in self-employment will also be available. In addition, advisors will also support individuals to overcome specific personal barriers with issues such as debt and caring responsibilities. Health professionals will be on hand to advise people on how to manage their conditions as they make the transition from Incapacity Benefit to work. Founded in 1983, TNG operates a large number of government contracts across the UK, providing training and support for both unemployed and employed people. Part of the Avanta group, TNG has extensive experience of supporting people in the move from benefits to employment and then helping them progress in work via training programmes like Train to Gain, which they already operate across the East Midlands Region. Carol Moir, Managing Director, of TNG said, “We know that work is good for your health as well as your wealth, and our breadth and depth of experience in developing people will ensure that we can make a real difference to the lives of many across Lincolnshire and Rutland.” The contract will operate from 3 December 2007, for an initial three years, and advisors will operate from locations in Lincoln, Mablethorpe, Grantham, Gainsborough, Skegness, Boston, Spalding, Stamford and Louth. For further information: Notes to Editors 1. TNG Established in 1983, TNG operates a large number of private sector and Government contracts, including a number of New Deal Prime Contracts, Employment Zones and training initiatives such as Modern Apprenticeships and Train to Gain across the UK, supporting both unemployed and employed people. 2. Avanta Avanta was formed in April 2006, bringing together TNG and InBiz, to become one of the UK’s leading private sector employment-focused training and enterprise companies. Together under the Avanta banner, TNG and InBiz are able to deliver the total solution that takes people and organisations from welfare through to workforce development and from exclusion to entrepreneurship. A commitment to working with partners also ensures that the organisation offers a national reach and local touch approach to tackling issues and supporting individuals. With a turnover expected to exceed £30million this year, the Avanta companies employ almost 700 people and their customers include The Department of Work and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, The Learning and Skills Councils and Regional Development Agencies. TNG’s sister company in the Avanta Group, InBiz, will be providing support for people interested in self employment as part of the Pathways to Work programme in Lincolnshire and Rutland. | |