THE LENNOX PARTNERSHIP - STRIVE OVERVIEW
STRIVE (Support and Training Result in Valuable Employees) was created in East
Harlem, New York in 1985 to help people who faced significant barriers to
employment achieve economic independence through work. STRIVE’s innovative
model, which differed greatly from the conventional wisdom in employment and
training support at that time, combines a short period of attitudinal training, the soft
skills needed to survive and excel in any workplace, with job search techniques, a
simulated work environment, and long term aftercare follow up. The project has
expanded over the years into a city wide network of over 22 cities in the US.
STRIVE was brought to the UK in 1999, and is delivered through a franchising
arrangement with LEAP (Local Employment Access Projects) in London.
Following their involvement in a local employability partnership learning journey to
New York in 2004, The Lennox Partnership identified the project as one which would
fill a gap in the portfolio of support services being delivered, particularly for those
client groups furthest from the labour market. Although it was recognised STRIVE
was achieving considerable success in moving people into employment in America,
it was felt that a feasibility study to determine its relevance, and potential success in
Scotland was required. This was carried out by Glasgow University’s TERU team,
who subsequently also evaluated the programme in 2008
The main component of the project is a three week intensive “job readiness”
programme that focuses on the all-important soft skills that are needed to succeed in
the world of work. On completion of the workshops clients are linked to a Client
Placement Officer who will provide them with intensive one to one support and
guidance in their attempts to secure employment. Jobsearch facilities are included
as part of the programme including supported access to on-line vacancies and
recruitment web-sites.
Links to employers are a crucial component of the STRIVE process, and a strong
emphasis of the delivery is being able to meet the needs of employers as well as
having the interests of the unemployed jobseekers at heart.
Responsibility to the clients does not end when they find employment. Further
support in the form of an aftercare service is provided for at least two years to help
with any problems in successfully adjusting to the demands of the workplace.
In summary the main objectives of the STRIVE project are:
o To “empower” participants and develop the soft skills, the attitudes and
behaviours, that employers in the job market are seeking
o To promote “real jobs” which would motivate those who were sceptical about
employment schemes, and those who had been unsuccessful in the past
o To provide a service that would improve job retention, so that those who were
placed in jobs would be able to use them as a springboard into continuous
sustainable employment.
STRIVE is unique in terms of simulating a working environment for clients who
attend the workshops wearing “business dress” and are subject to the same rules /
disciplines that would be expected during a probationary period in a new job. During
the workshop we facilitate a range of exercises which gets clients to look at their
behaviours/attitude and the impact those have on securing and sustaining
employment so that when they are presented to employers they are aware of all of
their expectations and are afforded the best chance of securing employment in what
is still an extremely competitive labour market. Some of case studies from clients
who have participated in STRIVE, highlighting the impact it has had on their lives are
attached.
The Lennox Partnership has delivered STRIVE for Young People in North Ayrshire
on behalf of the Local Authority over the last two years which has been very
successful. The Council has seen the benefit of investing in young people through
the delivery of the STRIVE programme as the “front end” of their YES Employer
Recruitment Incentive (ERI) programme. The table below illustrates the impact
STRIVE has had in North Ayrshire:
North Ayrshire 2012-2013 & 2013 -2014
Referrals Starts
Completers Jobs
Year one
243
215
189
155
Year two
226
199
188
144
Totals
469
414
377
299
In terms of sustainment, post financial ERI support at 26 weeks, we are sitting at 84
% which is unique and demonstrates the impact that the STRIVE workshop has even
when the financial support is no longer available for employers.
CASE STUDIES
Jackie
Jackie aged 21 lives in West Kilbride with her Mum who is a widow and unemployed.
She also has an older brother who works and a younger brother at school. She last
worked in July 2013 when her job with Asda came to an end. Since then she has
been claiming Jobseekers Allowance and making job applications. She commenced
Strive on 31st March 2014 and gave one hundred per cent commitment to every task
undertaken. On Monday 14th April she starts working with BPO as an Administrative
Assistant.
Jackie wrote, “I’ve been unemployed since the end of July and I have hated it. Being
unemployed for so long started to bring my confidence down when I was trying my
hardest to gain employment. Coming to the Strive project has changed all of that. All
of the different tasks we have done have made me feel more confident about my
skills and abilities and also more confident about and within myself. I think Lynn and
Betty have done an amazing job with helping to boost everyone’s confidence and I
feel really happy about myself, knowing I can do presentations and stand up in front
of a group of people I do not know and talk about myself without feeling nervous. I
am now going to be an administration assistant at BPO Collections and I feel confident about putting the skills and qualities I have demonstrated through the course
into my new job. I have really enjoyed the course and I would definitely recommend
the course to others”.
Ryan
Prior to joining Strive, Ryan aged 23 worked with Balfour Beattie until February 2014
when, unfortunately, he was made redundant. He lives in Irvine with his parents who
both work.
Ryan commenced Strive on 2nd June 2014 and worked diligently, concentrating on
developing his interview techniques. He had an interview with Millar Callaghan (a
well-established engineering company) on Friday 13th June 2014 for the position of
engineering labourer. He performed well during the interview and was successful in
gaining the position as a labourer with a view of being trained as a machine operator.
He started work on Monday 16th June 2014.
Ryan wrote, “I am delighted to have gained employment with Millar Callaghan as an
engineering labourer as the role offers potential for further training and as much
overtime as I could want. It’s such a relief to be off Jobseekers and being able to pay
my bills with no worries. Gaining employment also means I can regain my social life
and move out of my parents’ home into a little place of my own again. I can only
thank the staff at Strive and North Ayrshire Council for all of their support especially
the course facilitator Betty Mair who I felt went above and beyond the call of duty
with regards helping me personally with applications”.
Cameron
Cameron aged 16 lives in Irvine with his Gran who is now on State Pension and
finds it difficult at times to make ends meet.
Prior to joining Strive, Cameron left school in 2013 and had only two short spells of
employment as vehicle windscreen repairer and landscaper as part of programmes
at Rathbone and Spark of Genius and he felt that he was getting nowhere when the
placements came to an end.
He joined Strive on 2nd June 2014 and is starting a permanent job as a recycling
operative with CCL North on 16th June 2014.
Ryan wrote, “The Strive course has taught me lots of interview skills techniques and
how to present myself to an employer. It has improved my confidence and I struggle
less with talking in front of large groups. I’ve now got a job with CCL North and I’m
excited about this as I can do lots of new things like starting driving lessons. I would
recommend the course to anyone looking for a job. The Strive course is a great idea
and I’m glad they took me, without them, I would probably be doing nothing right
now-it’s very professional”.
For Further information please contact Blyth Deans at the Lennox Partnership.
[email protected]