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Budget
After more than 20 years out of work, John McAvoy of Middlesbrough started as a construction labourer with Frank Haslam Milan working on a major regeneration project in his local area.
The 53-year-old first met Jobcentre Plus adviser Ian Wright in July 2009 at his community centre in Beechwood. During an early meeting they discussed John’s lack of self-confidence and anxiety about searching for a new job. Ivan gave regular motivation and advice on informal job search techniques, such as establishing a relationship with the contractors who were working near John’s house.
Following Ivan’s advice, John began to make tea for the builders and plucked up the courage to enquire about work on the site, eventually landing a job as a labourer. Jobcentre Plus helped John sort out his tax credits and local action partnership Middlesbrough Works helped with the cost of high-visibility safety clothing.
John said:
“The service I got from Ivan was excellent. Without Ivan’s help I would not have started work and I’m very grateful for this chance. This job has given me a new boost of life. Since I started work I have much more confidence and I now have much more of a social life. I feel really integrated in my community.“
Hussan Omar from Croydon, is one of 20 young people working at Call Britannia in a role funded by the Government’s Future Jobs Fund.
The call centre opened offices in Croydon in November 2009, and is already well on the way to creating 45 new jobs. The job came as a welcome relief for Hussan, who has been unemployed for about eight months, as he and his partner were expecting their first child in April.
The 25-year-old said:
“It is a weight of my mind – it is so stressful not working when you have a child on the way. This job has helped me a lot and boosted my confidence. My Jobcentre Plus adviser told me about this opportunity and the information they gave me was really good.”
The Future Jobs Fund will provide funding for 150,000 jobs nationally, at least 100,000 for young people and 50,000 for unemployment hotspots. Call Britannia is a pioneering contact centre business that aims to create 10,000 jobs for the long-term unemployed, with all its offices based in some of the country’s most economically challenged areas.
A new Sainsbury’s store in Bolton signed a Local Employment Partnership with Jobcentre Plus to give long-term unemployed people a fair shot at some of the 180 jobs on offer.
In the lead up to the store’s opening, Jobcentre Plus worked alongside The Learning and Skills Council and Bolton Council to deliver a pre-employment training course for potential candidates, giving them the chance to learn new skills in health and safety and customer service. In return, Sainsbury’s gave those completing the course the chance to participate in work trials and subsequent job interviews.
As a result, Christine Douglas, 32, was employed as a general assistant in the Health and Beauty section. Christine, who has a 14-year-old daughter, had been claiming income support for four years.
Christine said:
“My Jobcentre Plus Adviser was so helpful. He helped me in a number of ways for example in completing the application forms and he referred me onto a confidence course. He made everything go so smoothly. I am really happy in my new job and the best part is that my daughter gets to see me go off to work everyday.”
Nottinghamshire youngsters are celebrating the New Year with new jobs and a fresh start thanks to Nottingham City Council and Groundwork UK offering a wide range of exciting Future Jobs Fund jobs for young unemployed people in the city.
Previously unemployed 18-24 year olds who have found work through the Future Jobs Fund include Ashley Holroyd, 21, and Nicky Woods, 19, both now working on construction and horticultural projects at the St Anns Allotment Restoration Project.
Ashley said:
“It was really depressing being out of work and I was getting bored and frustrated. I just wanted to go out and do something but I couldn’t get a fresh start. The Future Jobs Fund has given me a great break and opened new doors for me. I love what I’m doing because I really enjoy working outside. It feels good to be working again and I like showing my friends what I’m doing.”
Nicky said:
“I was over the moon when Groundwork told me I’d got the job. Life is a lot better for me now I’m earning my own money. My message to other young people like me is don’t give up just give the Future Jobs Fund a go.”
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