Ms Bríd O'Brien:

Among the initiatives that we have noted work well are ones where there are good local relationships and there is a community-based organisation that is working with people who are, say, unemployed or seeking employment, and it has also developed relationships with employers and is in a position to make those connections for people. Among the education and training programmes that we have noted work well, and that have led to people progressing to either further or higher education, training or employment, are ones where the time is taken to ensure that the person who is seeking the place and what is on offer are a good fit. We have noted there are higher retention rates on those programmes and that tends to lead to better outcomes. People are trying to make sure they work with the person and help the person and the group they are part of to progress, and they are also trying to open other doors so there is somewhere to progress to. There are many initiatives that have been great and then, unfortunately, instead of blossoming, they have not got anywhere.

Part of it is around the mainstream taking on board the learning, the approach and how to best use the resources, and really looking at why things worked. The personal relationship and the need for networking is not always appreciated by the system and those who fund some of these initiatives. Without that, it is very hard to connect up the pieces. Those who are excluded or distanced from the labour market need all of those pieces joined together to build those bridges or, otherwise, they do not get the outcomes. That is a critical piece. If people take time at certain points of any programme, it can make a massive difference and we end up with better outcomes.