Around 223,000 unemployed people are expected to be
supported through the government’s Work Programme over the next
five years across Scotland, Employment Minister Chris Grayling said
today (Tuesday 10 January).
Chris Grayling visited The Lennox Partnership
in Clydebank to find out first hand how the Work Programme is
making a real difference to local jobseekers’ job prospects.
The Lennox Partnership delivers the scheme on behalf of Working
Links. While there, he heard about the experiences of those taking
part in a programme which helps people to re-address their job
goals and examine how their own behaviour and attitudes can be a
barrier to making the successful move from benefits into work.
Speaking about the Work Programme, Chris
Grayling said: “I am really impressed with these innovative
back-to-work sessions and the positive attitude of jobseekers I met
today. It shows that the new Work Programme is starting to have a
positive impact on the employment prospects of thousands of people
across Scotland.
“The Work Programme is revolutionary in the
way it tailors support to jobseekers’ needs and pays organisations
primarily for getting people into sustained employment.
”People on out-of-work benefits who have
previously been shunted from dole queue to training room to dole
queue again will now finally be able to access tailored
support.”
One local person who found success through the
Work Programme is Elina. Unemployed for around 12 months before
joining the Work Programme, Elina previously worked for over 20
years within a Local Regeneration Agency where she delivered
support to unemployed clients.
After being made redundant in June 2010, she
had a number of roles including personal assistant to a Chief
Executive and gained an HNC in Office Administration and an SVQ
Level 4 in Advice and Guidance.
This was a difficult period for Elina as she
was worried about finances and how she would support her family. It
was difficult to keep motivated and she felt despondent at times
due to a lack of response from employers, despite her efforts,
experience and qualifications. This also had an effect on her
confidence.
On starting the Work Programme Elina felt
encouraged to keep going with her job search. She met her
consultant on a regular basis, made good use of the job search
facilities and had one-to-one support on interview preparation.
Elina’s aim was to secure a post within the
Employability Sector, helping others back to work and a few months
later, a temporary job came up within the Strive for Families
project at the Lennox Partnership. Elina applied for it and
was pleased to be offered the post which she started in
October.
Elina found the encouragement she received
invaluable and says she is now in a better position financially
since gaining employment:
“I really appreciate the support I have
received during my time with the Work Programme. Without this
support and encouragement I think it would have been more difficult
to get back into the workplace.”
The Lennox Partnership delivers Work Programme
on behalf of prime contractor Working Links.
Working Links’ Director for Scotland, Helena Craw added: “As
a valued partner in delivering the Work Programme, Lennox
Partnership brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding to the
community in which they serve. Working together, our teams can
bring sustainable employment opportunities for our
customers.”