Evaluation of New Jobs for Glasgow 2: final report

The New Jobs for Glasgow 2 (NJFG2) aimed to create new or expanded social enterprise jobs by: using established intermediate labour market models; identifying new job growth areas; and demonstrating how basic models could be developed to contribute to the local economy. It also aimed to develop an approach to working with existing and new ILM projects to establish new ILM and permanent jobs in priority regeneration areas. The evaluation aimed to assess NJFG projects (split into Childcare and non-Childcare activities), as well as providing recommendations for the future.

The methodology consisted of interviews with various NJFG2 projects.

Activities funded under NJFG2 have been able to deliver substantial results in relatively short timescale. At present NJFG2 has created 62 new jobs, 187 childcare places, and 110 ILM places. Every £10,000 spent through NJFG2 creates 1.73 jobs, 5 childcare places and 3 ILM places. Finds that it is difficult to judge the sustainability of this employment and the current status of all projects. Notes that many lessons from the childcare activities are likely to be more relevant to mainstream Glasgow Works activity in future. Suggests there is a great need for development funding and overall, the activities suggest that funding diversification is possible.

SE Glasgow should consider: whether the two elements of NJFG2 might be better split; preserving a development function within Glasgow Works to work with new client groups; and broadening the remit of dedicated staff used in the development function to introduce NJFG2 type development. Observes that Glasgow Works has three potential development strategies and recommends that Glasgow Works follows all three. Advises that incorporating the co-ordinator posts into Glasgow Works core staff is not likely to happen and the only alternative is to submit another bid for funding. The emphasis of the bids could shift to service provision rather than solely capacity development. Suggests that active development of ILM projects is going to provide relevant ILMs in future with more diversified funding.