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Activation of living wage recipients: needs, approach and local cooperation
Kathy Goffin
Expert Labour Market & Socio-Economic Policy
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The challenge
To achieve the ambition of an 80% employment rate, each talent will have to be mobilised, including that of people with a greater distance to the labour market, which includes living wage recipients. In order to better guide living wage recipients along a journey to employment, the Flemish Government is committed to more cooperation between local authorities or Public Centres for Social Welfare (PCSWs) and VDAB.
This study aimed to identify the profiles and needs of living wage recipients in a journey to employment, the PCSW’s approach to activation, and the PCSW’s cooperation with VDAB and with the wider local network.
The process & results
To gather insights, a document analysis, in-depth interviews (with experts and PCSW guidance counsellors), an online survey for PCSW guidance counsellors and a case study analysis at 6 local administrations were carried out.
We learned about the complex issues of the target group and the associated needs for job guidance. The target group of living wage recipients is very diverse and needs an integrated, intensive and easily accessible journey tailored to their individual needs. PCSWs can meet this need by taking a broad view on activation, having a wide range of employment projects and activities available in the area, and using the entire range of employment measures and projects. However, there are still large differences between PCSWs in this respect.
Collaboration is also important – it is not only the PCSW that has a role to play in activating living wage recipients. However, we see that the potential for integrated work at the local level is not sufficiently used. In addition, the local network of guidance to work also appears to be still limited, focusing mainly on cooperation with sheltered workshops and with VDAB. Continued involvement between VDAB and local authorities is important, and specific success factors can further strengthen this cooperation, such as creating proximity, good information flow and transparent communication.
Link to publication: https://www.vlaanderen.be/publicaties/activering-van-leefloongerechtigden-noden-aanpak-en-lokale-samenwerking