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Targeting Disadvantaged Groups

Targeting disadvantaged groups means that measures are targeted at groups of individuals such as ethnic minority groups, the urban poor, women, redundant workers, the long-term unemployed and youths. Programs and projects include:

  • Language training
    This is a key issue where there are groups of foreign workers and minority communities. Outreach programs are often successful.

  • Skills retraining and job placement programs
    Skills retraining should occur using a demand-led approach i.e. businesses need to be involved in articulating the skills needs. There is little point in retraining individuals in skill areas for which there is no local demand. Job placement programs assist individuals in acquiring the skills they need to access jobs and assist in identifying opportunities.

  • Raising educational achievement
    This is usually an issue for an entire city. However, specific communities may be in need of extra support.

  • Enterprise training
    Disadvantaged groups often experience both high unemployment and a large proportion of workers in the informal sector. Basic training in business management, finance and marketing can significantn in impact on these communities.

  • Helping women to access employment and self-employment programs
    Projects could include skills development, confidence building programs, and provision of crèches and after-school clubs.

  • Micro enterprise lending programs
    This area of activity is also well suited to assisting disadvantaged groups to access self employment.

  • Work experience and teacher/pupil placement schemes
    These schemes involve teachers and students working for short periods of time in businesses to gain work experience and a work ethic skills. 

  • Developing mentor programs
    The idea is that more experienced business people mentor new starters and give them support, encouragement and ideas. Mentor programs can be very informal, and are a way of helping individuals  start their own business. 

  • Health awareness programs
    Often the most disadvantaged suffer from poor health. Poor health are serious limiting factor when attempting to access work. Health awareness programs can be closely targeted at, for example, specific schools, or communities. They may also be delivered through community resource centers.

  • Development of community resource centers
    The purpose of these centers is to gather together information, support and services to meet the needs of the local community. Since transport is often a problem, and since many individuals do not like to go into 'official looking' buildings, community centers can provide an ideal place to meet local needs. These centers do not need to be sophisticated, the most important element is to make sure staff are customer friendly and have an understanding of what services are needed and what are available. Services may include everything from health care, education services, and business advice to paying taxes, play areas for children and so on.

 

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