More than 500 people across Devon and Cornwall
found work in just one month, with the help of an employment and
skills firm.
The record figures – relating to March – have
been announced by Working Links, which runs a number of programmes
across ten sites in the two counties to help unemployed people find
sustainable work.
The company works closely with employers to
source job opportunities and tailors its provision to ensure its
customers find work that is right for them.
It is finding most of its customers work in
the hospitality sector, followed by industry, retail and care
sectors.
One of the success stories is
youth worker Conrad Hutchinson, who turned his life around in
the past year with Working Links’ help, and is back on the payroll
for the first time in two-and-a-half-years.
Conrad, 47, of Paignton, Devon, said: “The
problem was that the car industry was all I had known. I left
school with no qualifications at all so I wasn’t skilled or
experienced enough to find meaningful work.
“But because I had no formal qualifications, I
know how hard it is to get by so I’m very passionate about
communicating that to young people. I had wanted to get into youth
work but I had to start from the bottom – and that’s where Working
Links have really helped.”
Conrad now works for the YMCA and volunteers
for a number of local charities.
Frances Brennan, Working Links’ Regional
Director for the South West, said: “The ongoing successes of
helping people into work is testimony to the dedication and
commitment of our people and our delivery partners to make a real
difference to the lives of those living in Devon and Cornwall.
“We are reacting to the market, seeing what
employers want and are providing them with job-ready candidates
perfect for their roles.
“Our people are also striving to create a buzz
in each of our offices around the region, ensuring jobseekers feel
comfortable and I think that plays a major part in the successes
that we are seeing."
In total, more than 600 people across the South West found
work in just one month with Working Links’ help.