Physical to virtual: challenges and opportunities for a neighbourhood-based employment support initiative

PurposeThis paper aims to explore challenges and opportunities of shifting from physical to virtual employment support delivery prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic. It investigates associated changes in the nature and balance of support and implications for beneficiary engagement with programmes and job search.Design/methodology/approachThe study draws on longitudinal interviews conducted with beneficiaries and delivery providers from a neighbourhood-based employment support initiative in an English region with a strong manufacturing heritage between 2019 and 2021. The initiative established prior to the Covid-19 pandemic involved a strong physical presence locally but switched to virtual delivery during Covid-19 lockdowns.FindingsMoving long-term to an entirely virtual model would likely benefit some beneficiaries closer to or already in employment. Conversely, others, particularly lone parents, those further from employment, some older people and those without computer/Internet access and/or digital skills are likely to struggle to navigate virtual systems. The study emphasises the importance of blending the benefits of virtual delivery with aspects of place-based physical support.Originality/valuePrevious studies of neighbourhood-based employment policies indicate the benefits of localised face-to-face support for transforming communities. These were conducted prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and the more widespread growth of virtual employment support. This study fills a gap regarding understanding the challenges and opportunities for different groups of beneficiaries when opportunities for physical encounters decline abruptly and support moves virtually.

Lives Put on Hold: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Canada's Youth

According to the "scar theory," past unemployment can lead to long-term poor labour-market outcomes in terms of an increased incidence of unemployment in the future, and employment in lower quality and lower paying jobs. To support youth during the recovery and alleviate potential negative long-term effects, Canadian governments (at all levels) need to ensure that young Canadians are equipped with relevant skills, support them to make up for learning losses and consider targeted labour market programs and policies that help encourage greater participation and ease the transition into employment and better jobs for young Canadians who still face difficulties finding employment. According to the "scar theory," past unemployment can lead to long-term poor labourmarket outcomes in terms of an increased incidence unemployment in the future, and employment in lower quality and lower paying jobs (Heckman and Borjas 1980;Arulampalam, Gregg, and Gregory 2001). Canada can do more to support youth who remain unable to find employment and address learning losses to mitigate long-term negative effects by taking the following steps. * Expand employment services (counselling and job search assistance) to reduce unemployment duration and recurrence;* Enhance labour-market flexibility and

YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND PROVIDING CONDITIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN BULGARIA

This research attempts to make a brief review and analysis of youth unemployment rate in the labour market in Bulgaria. It briefly describes programmes and measures existing at the Bulgarian labour market and implemented though Employment Promotion Act and National Employment Action Plan. It attempts to describe and provide a reasonable proposal for changes in order to increase the effectiveness of the applied tools concluding that the relative percentage of unemployed youth is the highest compared to other age groups.