Published: 28/11/2016
Tuesday November 22 2016. For immediate release
UNEMPLOYED Copeland residents could step confidently towards work through a new scheme.
The Copeland Work and Skills partnership runs ‘work academies’ to help people get the basic skills, experience and confidence to get back to work.
The latest academy is in partnership with fast food restaurant chain McDonalds, which currently has vacancies in its Whitehaven store.
The scheme is aimed at those struggling to find work and offers short training courses, mock interviews, work experience and support with online applications. The academy will last for two weeks and its 20 applicants will have guaranteed job interviews at the end of it.
The candidates have been referred by Job Centre Plus and other bodies who support the unemployed.
Lakes College tutors will offer invaluable guidance on general work skills such as customer service, working in teams and work ethos. Inspira will provide tips on interview techniques and Phoenix Enterprise Centre and Works 4 You will provide support with online applications to McDonalds. It is hope the attendees will gain new skills and be more employable in the future.
Deputy Mayor and Copeland’s portfolio holder for regeneration, Coun Lena Hogg, said: “The food services sector is an important part of the Copeland economy, with considerable opportunity for growth. This needs to be supported by an enthusiastic, engaged workforce, and there are many rewarding career paths available. By bringing partners together to create a new sector-based Work Academy, we are giving jobseekers the very best in training and support.”
Sector-based Work Academies are part of an overall programme of activities being delivered by the Copeland Work and Skills Partnership. Copeland Community Fund is funding the activities, while Copeland Borough Council is funding a staff member for three years to devise and deliver them.
The current scheme is full but further schemes will follow.
The partners in the Copeland Work and Skills Partnership are: Copeland Borough Council, Citizens' Advice Bureau, Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service, the Department for Work and Pensions, Gen2, Home Group, Home to Work/Works 4 You Ltd, Howgill Children’s and Family Centre, Impact Housing, Inspira, Lakes College, Millom Network Centre and Phoenix Enterprise Centre.
