The longer you're unemployed, the less likely you are to find a job, with a significant drop after 8 months to roughly 50%. Help us create a physical work experience centre for those who have been in long-term unemployment in the Burnt Oak community. Burnt Oak is almost on every index of deprivation in the Borough of Barnet. We want to make a difference by helping to bridge the skills gap and upskilling the long-term unemployment in Burnt Oak by allowing those long-term unemployed or those with a history of low to medium mental issues to gain the relevant work experience (supported by trainers) in the created space. CoLabs aims to build self-confidence and improve the life chances of this cohort. In so doing, adding social economic results for businesses and moving individuals closer to employment by creating a space for true collaboration in the CReSH. Funding will be used to set up the training space, curriculum development and training expenses.

What we'll deliver:

• Create the first Pilot for CoLabs work experience hub in Burnt Oak by Nov 2017
• Engagement of at least one Business to participate in the first CoLabs Pilot
• Create IT working stations at the Love Burnt Oak CReSH for work experience training
• In the pseudo workspace, clients will will be supported as they develop the relevant experience
• Support a cohort of 12-15 into employed in the local Burnt Oak community

Why it's a great idea:

Why: 1. Support individuals who lack the relevant skills required to re-enter employment, performing real life task in a safe environment, as well as helping them to navigate the challenges they face. 2. Engage business to be part of the solution for the growing skills and unemployment gap 3. Creates a win-win community space that supports individuals with a safe training environment, producing tangible results for business and provides local government with a specialised programme for their boroughs to help address unemployment initially focused on Burnt Oak Benefits: • Moves individuals from dependency on state provision to potential skilled internship and eventually employment • Pilots a programme that could be replicated across other boroughs in London and nationally across different industry sectors • Enables businesses with an opportunity to create a pipeline of interns that are trained with entry level skills focused on their sector

Steps to get it done:

• 2. Secure funding for Pilot CoLabs
• 3. Start candidate recruitment in collaboration with local partners
• 4. Complete curriculum content and specific tailoring to CoLabs Business Partner
• 5. Work with Business sponsors on identifying work based task and opportunities business management support
• 6. Identify opportunities for candidates to tour CoLabs Business Partner offices where possible
• 7. Once content completed, candidates and business are on-board – Kick off CoLabs!
• 8. Monitor, learn, review and improve for the next CoLab module
• 1. Secure first CoLabs Business Partner

Our Wish List We are open for any support and help you can offer to get CoLabs off the ground!! Check out the list of what we need below and then use the 'Offer Something' button to the right to get involved • Business Sponsors: Business who would like to get involved in a CoLabs and have a specific module or have work tasks they would like to offer for the candidates to work on. Business can be within Burn oak or outside we encourage cross location integration to show those currently in Burnt Oak a preview of what it might be like to engage with other work areas of London. However, the location of the training will be hosted in the Love Burnt Oak community centre • Local government bodies: Who have pools of candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds in the area of Burnt Oak initially or those with mental illness conditions looking to return to work • CoLab Supporters: Offers for introductions to share the CoLabs idea with potential business partners, volunteers & Tweeters & Likers