Creating opportunity, rewarding ambition : the value of entry level employment /

July 2011 Appendices pp. 68-74 Bibliography pp. 75-78 A policy report by the Employment Working Group INTO AND OUT OF WORK

This publication, Creating Opportunity, Rewarding Ambition, coincides with the launch of the Work Programme and the passage of the Welfare Reform Bill. The Work Programme aims to give organisations both the freedom and the incentive to support the long term unemployed back into work. The Welfare Reform Bill introduces a new Universal Credit, intended to ease the transition into work to ensure that people are financially rewarded by choosing work over benefits and, crucially, Universal Credit should increase opportunities for job seekers by making part-time or flexible employment worth their while. The CSJ believes that these reforms will reduce unemployment and transform lives. However, when we are asked to comment on these changes to the welfare system, the most frequent concern raised is the lack of jobs. To be successful, the economy has to create employment opportunities for motivated job seekers. For job seekers without strong academic qualifications, with significant responsibilities, needs and commitments outside of work, as well as people who have lost the routine of work, these job opportunities will often be entry level roles.

Creating opportunity rewarding ambition.pdf