An innovative partnership has helped more than
300 unemployed people into work across the North East.
The Leap initiative, funded by the Skills
Funding Agency and delivered in partnership by Working Links and
Darlington College, has been giving people the skills they need to
enter the workplace in Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Sunderland,
Hartlepool Darlington and Bishop Auckland.
The project sees unemployed people undertaking
tailored training courses specifically for vacancies at local
companies. Businesses involved in the project include Tesco,
Sainsbury’s, The Student Loans Company and McDonald’s.
So far, more than 40 previously unemployed
people have found work at McDonald’s restaurants across the North
East, with new recruit Elaine Hall being the 300th
success of the Leap project.
Elaine, 40, of Middlesbrough, said: “I was out
of work for just over a year. It’s very disheartening when you
think you’re right for a position but don’t get it. But McDonald’s
gave us all a two-week work trial, which gave us the chance to
prove ourselves over a specific period.
“It’s going great. Everyone’s so friendly and
it’s great to be back in work again.”
Karen Swales, Business Manager at McDonald’s,
said: “The two weeks work trial gives new employees the chance to
see what the job is all about and also gives us the chance to see
if they will be a good fit for the role.”
Owen Peterson, Working Links Performance
Manager, said: “The project is proving a great success. It’s
important that people are trained up with the skills and attributes
that employers require, meaning new recruits hit the ground
running. Partnering with local businesses will continue to help
hundreds more get back to the workplace over the coming
months.”
Businesses interested in finding out more about the help
available for retraining and recruiting new staff can call Working
Links on 0800 917 9262.