New Deal

In April 2002, Derby CVS was awarded a contract to manage and co-ordinate the New Deal Voluntary Sector Option for the next three years. The focus of the initiative will enable young people aged between 18 and 24 the opportunity to work within voluntary and community based organisations.

The delivery of the New Deal Voluntary Sector Option has had phenomenal success in its second year. Specialist placements have been created for young people interested in areas such as sports coaching, counselling, heritage work and community based project work. So far, more than 341 unemployed young people between 18 and 24 have taken part in placements with voluntary and community organisations and 32 have been successful in finding full time employment.

It's expected that around 200 people that are eligible for New Deal will be given an opportunity to gain six months work experience, develop and update their skills and participate in vocational training through the Voluntary Sector Option each year.

As well as taking a lead on the Voluntary Sector Option, Derby CVS is in its second year of delivery of the New Deal 25 Plus 'The Intensive Activity Period Routeway', which focuses on providing adults the opportunity of gaining work experience within voluntary and community organisations.

The programme enables participants to receive a tailormade package of support, offering them the opportunity to gain work experience within voluntary and community sector organisations. The programme lasts for 13 weeks, with the opportunity to extend the provision for a further 13 weeks depending on the participant's' progress.

The New Deal 25 Plus will give 100 participants the opportunity to widen and develop their skills and move one step closer to finding employment.

( Voluntary organisations that would like to take part in the New Deal for Young People and the New Deal 25 Plus should contact Ejaz Sarwar, New Deal Programme Manager at Derby CVS on 01332 227723 for further information.