International Development

A4e is developing a global footprint in the delivery of front line public services.

Over the last 3 years A4e has developed its capacity and market offer for international governments. Our first international contract, secured in Israel in 2005, has paved the way for substantial growth and expansion in our chosen international markets. We are working with governments to tackle poverty and exclusion; enable more people to access better jobs; reduce re-offending rates; and drive economic competitiveness.

We are now delivering from over 160 locations in the UK, France, Germany, Israel, and Poland. Pipeline opportunities, in new and existing markets, are strong. Over the next year we are well positioned to capitalise on the investment in international development we have made in 2006 and the first half of 2007, with substantive opportunities in South Africa, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Australia.

But our international work is perhaps best characterised by the impact we are making with individual customers and communities. Clients, many of whom were distanced from the labour market, have received intensive support to help them find work and ensure they stay there. They have benefited from personalised education, health, employment, skills development, coaching and mentoring services. We are making a real difference to people’s lives in an international market.

Our strategy

A4e is exporting UK best practice in the delivery of front line public services. We are focusing on three core areas of public policy; welfare and employment; offender learning and skills; and economic regeneration. This is a powerful service offer to international governments for three reasons:

1. Firstly, the UK is recognised by the OECD as one of the global leaders in addressing these areas of public policy. The ‘UK PLC’ brand in public service delivery is strong;
2. Secondly, A4e is recognised as a leading provider of these front line public services. As an example, A4e is the largest provider of New Deal welfare services on behalf of Jobcentre Plus and it is the largest independent provider of Offender Learning and Skills Services; and
3. Thirdly, whilst the international market for Public Private Partnerships in the delivery of “infrastructure, back office or IT projects” is well developed, the delivery of front line services, particularly in the delivery of social welfare policy and economic regeneration, is less well developed.

In taking forward our service offer, we are targeting three distinct international government markets. We:

Work with governments to design new public policy and implement new – untested – front line public services.

Work with governments to radically improve the delivery of existing public services.

Work with governments that are experiencing market failure in mature public service markets.

The next year

The next year offers a wealth of exciting opportunities for A4e, both in existing and new international markets. For example:

In Poland, we are developing substantive links and partnership agreements in preparation for country wide opportunities in Autumn 2007 in our core welfare to work and economic regeneration markets

In Germany, we are working closely with the government to help re-shape and reform the delivery of welfare to work programmes for the over 50s, a priority target group for Western Europe over the next 15 years

In South Africa, we are working to develop pilot proposals to address poverty and worklessness in townships in Johannesburg

In Australia, we are laying the foundations for growth in 2008 and 2009, in preparation for the commissioning of new welfare to work suppliers to help target people with disabilities and lone parents

In Sweden, we are working with policy makers to help inform the development of a mixed economy of providers in the delivery of public services

We have the opportunity to make a difference to thousands of lives as a leader on global public service reform.