Community Work Programme

The CWP Pilot programme was launched in the Strabane area in May 1995. The programme was developed and funded by the Department for Employment and learning and awarded to Strabane, Fermanagh and West Belfast despite strong competition from other areas. Whilst the programme had common characteristics each area was separate and was responsible for delivering the programme solely in their own area.

The CWP Pilot was a three year programme which enabled long term unemployed adults to gain work experience and qualifications whilst working on projects of benefit to their local communities. Those participating on the programme were paid a training allowance of between £20 and £55 per week in addition to their social security benefits. Participants were also able to gain bonuses related to their work performance and the achievement of agreed qualifications.

During the life span of the CWP Pilot 376 participants availed of the programme with 291 actively participating at the end of the recruitment phase in March 1997. One third of all participants attained an NVQ level 2 qualification or above and more than 50% of participant achieved a recognised qualification. Around 15% of participants progressed from the programme directly into employment with many more progressing after the programme ended.

The Legacy
The CWP Pilot enabled Strabane CWP to establish a comprehensive network of community and voluntary organisations across the district with a total of 97 organisations registered to provide work placements. This network reached out to all areas of the town and the wider district - Donemana, Sion Mills, Plumbridge, Aghyaran, Killen, Newtownstewart, Magheramson, Ballymagorry and Castlederg all had organisations involved in the programme. As well as a geographically diverse area various sectors were also catered for in the network such as sporting, neighbourhood and community development organisations, playgroups, elderly services, cultural organisations etc. This model of networking and partnership working has remained at the heart of Strabane CWP operations through the variety of activities it has undertaken.

The CWP Pilot did not only influence the development of Strabane CWP but also Department for Employment and Learning policy. Many of the characteristics of the CWP Pilot have been evident in the model of delivery for New Deal, Worktrack, Transitional Employment Programme and Job Assist Centre programmes.