CONNEXIONS WAS SET up to target the hundreds of thousands of school-leavers not in education, employment and training (Neets). Official figures show it has its work cut out, with a record number of Neets in England at the end of 2009. Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership helps teenagers and adults up to the age of 25, giving advice on education, careers, housing, money, health and relationships. Its employees say their own career prospects are sound, giving a 71% positive score when asked if the experience they have from their job will prove valuable in future (beaten by just 12 other mid-sized organisations). They view working at Connexions as good for their growth (70%), stimulating (68%) and the training they receive as of great benefit (57%). On average, employees receive 70 hours per year formal training, which sets the organisation back £500 each. They take courses covering areas such as health and safety policy, mentoring and interviewing skills. In a study released last year, former cabinet minister Alan Milburn called for the service to be broken up because, he said, it seemed to have "focused on the disadvantaged minority to the detriment of the aspirational majority". The government has not acted on this advice, but employees at Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership are nevertheless worried for the future (26% positive, ranking it 47th on the list of mid-size organisations). There were 32 voluntary redundancies in 2008-9. They disagree with Milburn's verdict on the work they do, however, insisting that Connexions provides a great service (79%, and the 12th highest score for this question). Employees also say the work they do is an important part of who they are (75%, and 15th). Staff feel they receive reasonable pay and benefits for their line of work, giving a 60% rating for questions in the Fair Deal section, the 19th highest nationally. Nine out of 10 people earn £35,000 or less a year, with 60% on £25,000 or below. Personal advisers are typically paid about £28,000 a year and the average length of service is 10 years. People are among the happiest about their pay and benefits (66%, a top 10 score for mid-sized bodies). The workforce say their roles do not interfere with their responsibilities at home (67%, another top 10 score) and their health is not suffering because of their job (70%). Staff Wellbeing scores 58% positive overall, ranking it 26th, and Connexions people rate the My Team factor at 72% positive (and 23rd overall among the top 75 bodies). Colleagues care for each other (77%, a top 15 score for mid-sized institutions). www.connexions-gmerseyside.co.uk
