Eight Warwickshire
College students on a discrete ‘Ready for Employment’ course based
at Moreton Morrell are a step closer to a job thanks to a local
specialist support project provided by Working Links.
Working Links specialises in helping
unemployed people get back to work, including those claiming
health-related benefits.
The young adults, from Warwickshire College’s
Moreton Morrell Centre, have been helped by tailored Working Links’
support sessions providing them with the essential skills they need
to get a job.
The fortnightly sessions have been taking
place at Working Links’ premises at Marlborough House in Leamington
Spa. For the past four months, the students have learnt relevant
employability skills, job hunting, preparation and techniques, all
of which complement the work done in the classroom at college
but in a real Employment Services Environment. Working Links now
plan to support them into sustainable work.
Dawn Evans, Ready for Employment Tutor at
the Leamington Centre, a Warwickshire
College campus, said: “This is an excellent opportunity
for the learners and really enhances their prospects of finding
appropriate employment. We’re really proud of the partnership and
recognise the value of a multi-agency approach in helping learners
achieve their individual employment goals. A substantial part of
the course is attending a work placement with local employers in
the students’ chosen area of work”.
One student who recently completed the course
said how much she had enjoyed attending the Working Links sessions
commenting on the friendliness of the staff and how their help has
increased her confidence in finding work.
The partnership will be continuing courses in
2010-11 thanks to the positive feedback that has been received.
Sally Parke, Partnership Representative for Working Links,
said: “Working in partnership with the College has provided a
valuable opportunity for the learners to step out of an academic
environment into a work related one. This has added to the learning
experience of the students. The students are really enjoying the
course. I can tell how rewarding it is for all involved. By working
together we can give the students all the support they’ll
need.”