CHIC - Launching CHIP

This year CHIC established a new charity. CHIP works proactively with contractors and suppliers to ensure that all contractual social value obligations are achieved. It also works with Local Employment Groups and other voluntary sector organisations to create and support employment opportunities for people who are disadvantaged and distant from the workplace.

The charity will be officially launched at a round table discussion and networking lunch on 13th September. The discussions will focus on what our stakeholders want CHIP to deliver in the short, medium and long term. CHIC’s chair will also outline the consortiums expectations and introduce the new CHIP Chair and Trustees.

There will be five round table discussions, centred around CHIP’s objectives, each chaired by a CHIP Trustee:

SECURING CONTRACTUAL APPRETICESHIP AND TRAINING OUTCOMES

CHIC procured higher value contracts include requirements for contractors and suppliers to deliver apprenticeships. Are these set at the right level (one per £1m spend per annum)? And how should CHIP’s Social Value Manager work with these organisations to ensure social value outcomes are maximised for CHIC’s members communities?

SUPPORTING LEGs’ TO GET PEOPLE INTO WORK

CHIP aims to support 30+ people each year into sustainable employment, where previously distant from the workplace. CHIP will provide grants to local employment groups to find and support these people into work. Is this approach the most effective use of CHIP’s resources? Is there more we can do connecting CHIC’s supply chain to CHIP’s LEGs’? How do we spread the outcomes geographically, to support the communities of CHIC’s members?

CHIP’s COMMUNITY CHEST

Part of CHIP’s annual funding is to be dedicated to a new Community Chest. In 2022/23 this is £30k. What criteria do we set for qualifying bids to the fund (type of project, community benefits, revenue vs capital, match funding, applicant status etc.)? How do we then determine priorities, allocate funds and release grants?

ANNUAL AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT

CHIC has presented annual awards for apprentices and trainees from members and the supply chain, to those who have achieved most in their role. Recipients receive a trophy and voucher and, importantly, recognition of their achievements. Now CHIP has a responsibility for these awards, how will they be focussed and promoted to give maximum opportunity to apprentices and trainees to be recognised for their individual achievements? How many awards should we present and what should they be for?

ADDED SOCIAL VALUE

CHIP will receive dedicated funds annually from CHIC to fund the defined outcomes around contractual commitments, LEGs’ and the Community Chest. What else can CHIP do to enhance the social value benefits that it secures and delivers? Are there reasonable targets around securing additional funds and providing added value?