The proposed PBO Pilot: An update on EOIs, eligibility and shortlisting
Hello everyone,
We're pleased to be able to share with you an update on our progress towards a co-designed program overview and criteria for enterprise participation today.
By way of background, we invited work integration social enterprises (WISE) to express interest in participating in this, and future PBO programs back in early 2021.
As a recap, the proposed PBO Pilot seeks to demonstrate that : when WISEs receive adequate and reliable funding to meet essential training and wrap-around support costs required by jobseekers who face complex barriers to employment, they achieve superior social and economic outcomes.
The program proposes to fund WISEs at specific milestones where a participant remains in employment based on certain threshold hours of work each month. The milestones will differ from those in the current employment services model (ie 13, 26 and 52 weeks) and will emphasise longer-term outcomes.
Importantly, while the initiative is centred around a funding mechanism, we are ultimately trying to create a national, systemic change in the way that Government understands WISEs and the vital role they play in supporting vulnerable people to find and maintain meaningful, supported employment.
We received 25 submissions in response to our invitation for EOIs, and will soon commence initial shortlisting discussions with eligible enterprises.
WISE participation - threshold eligibility criteria
The co-design process with the Government has determined that WISEs will be eligible to be considered for participation if they:
- have a not-for-profit legal entity status
- are Social Traders certified (or working towards)
- are a member of their state peak representative body (or willing to join)
- have a dedicated pathways / support function in their organisation
- employ people aged 18-50 in award wage employment
- employ people registered with, or eligible for, Disability Employment Services or Community Development Program
- anticipate employing participants on average weekly hours of 12+ on commencement
In addition to these, we are also going to be further exploring the transitional employment opportunities being supported by shortlisted WISEs. The Government is especially interested to see the difference it can make for a person who chooses to explore work beyond a social enterprise where they have the support of the WISE for up to 12 months after they transition.
Shortlisting - next steps
Over the next 2-3 weeks, we will be meeting with shortlisted WISEs for 'fireside' style conversations to discuss the program overview, proposed payment structure, individual participant eligibility, employment outcome targets and expected timelines. We will also be talking about organisational resilience and readiness, and sharing some of the specific requirements relating to program governance, resourcing and operational planning that will help us run a smooth and effective program.
A more formal discussion will follow this for those shortlisted enterprises that will be recommended participants. This will include a discussion regarding high level contractual obligations and share of target outcomes.
A representative of Swinburne University's Centre for Social Impact will assist us with the anticipated selection of the pilot group and provide an independent viewpoint. We are excited to be commencing this stage of the co-design process.
Our hope is that a successful pilot will lead a systemic change in the way WISEs are funded for training and wrap-around supports, bringing all WISEs into the mainstream fabric of employment services in Australia.
|