European Social Fund in England

Labour market disadvantage disengagement discrimination research project

Project Title: Labour Market Disadvantage, Disengagement, Discrimination research project (2.3a)

Lead Applicant: London Metropolitan University

Region: London, including all 5 London LSC areas (North, East, South, West and Central)

Funding: LSC Pan-London ESF Objective 3

Nature of activity: Research project

The Labour Market Disadvantage, Disengagement, Discrimination research project led by London Metropolitan University aims to collate and analyse information on existing initiatives in London that support excluded and disadvantaged individuals to combat labour market disadvantage. This includes black and ethnic minorities, refugees and asylum seekers, travellers, people with disabilities, lone parents, older people, homeless persons and those living in areas with high levels of multiple deprivation.

This information forms the basis for the creation of a database of projects/initiatives to be made available on a CD-Rom format when completed. The database has attracted significant interest and will now be 'open' until at least the summer of 2006. Another element of the research is constituted by semi-structured interviews and focus groups with a sample of providers, beneficiaries and other stakeholders. This research will lead to the identification of 'critical success factors' for engaging people who - due to disadvantage, institutional discrimination or direct experience of discrimination - are currently disengaged from education, training and job opportunities. The final report will be disseminated through a dedicated event in December 2006. It will help to provide a better understanding of the nature of barriers to workforce participation and how to overcome them and will be complemented by a toolkit showcasing 'projects' that have developed good practice in promoting employability and social inclusion.

The project benefits from a broad range of partners well-placed strategically including 4 London Learning Partnerships, Refugee Council, CITB-ConstructionSkills Sector Skills Council, TUC Learning Services, London Voluntary Service Council, JobCentrePlus. The lead applicant is also liaising with another Pan-London LSC project, LORECA (2.2d), particularly in relation to refugees.