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The 'Get You Ready for Work' programme co-ordinated by Wolverhampton City Council's Economic Inclusion Team in partnership with Low Hill & Park Village Community Forum, TLC College and the City of Wolverhampton College saw 15 participants take part in a 3 week intensive programme at Low Hill Community Centre.
It has now triggered plans for similar projects with partner organisations in other parts of the city from September.
The project, partly funded by the Scotlands & Bushbury Hill Big Local Chatterbox Fund, saw them benefit from one to one coaching and mentoring, as well as employability skills and accredited work related courses.
The Prince's Trust also organised a team building day for the participants in Kinver, South Staffordshire, which helped to build their confidence.
Two have since gone on to find work, including Bhiku, who said: "I have really gained in confidence attending this project and it has helped me to find work in warehousing - I'm really looking forward to starting in the next couple of weeks."
Others have gained recognised qualifications, including Emergency First Aid at Work, Manual Handling and Risk Assessments.
Tony Blakeway, Chair of Low Hill & Park Village Community Forum, said: "The 15 trainees received one to one mentoring support and personalised action plans to overcome the barriers stopping them from finding work. As part of the programme Prospect Careers organised employers to come and talk about job opportunities that were available locally and the application process. As a result of the support received on the programme on preparing CVs and interview skills, 2 have secured jobs and others have been asked to attend job interviews in the coming weeks."
Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Assets, added: "This project is unique in that it has supported unemployed residents from Low Hill, Scotlands and Bushbury North areas to overcome some of the barriers they are facing to finding work. It has been very successful and plans are already being made for similar projects with partner organisations in other parts of the city from September."
Those who took part in the project gathered to celebrate their success at an event on Friday 10 July, at Low Hill Community Centre where Councillor Bilson presented certificates and listened to feedback from the trainees about how the programme benefitted them.
- released: Friday 17 July, 2015