Type=image;ImageID=6508;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Receiving certificates from Councillor Elias Mattu;TitleClass=strong;
They took part in the Breaking Barriers into Employment programme run by Wolverhampton City Council's Economic Inclusion Team and Heart & Soul Community, an organisation which works with the council and other partners to improve individuals' employability skills.
A dozen residents from the Fallings Park area of Wolverhampton took part in the programme over an 8 week period, benefitting from one to one coaching and mentoring and weekly employment support groups.
Two have since gone on to find work, including Kelly Bradley who said: "I have really gained in confidence attending this project and it has helped me to find work as a carer in a nursing home which I'm really enjoying."
The remainder have received recognised qualifications including Emergency First Aid at Work, Manual Handling and Food Hygiene and the Construction Skills Certification Scheme.
Jayne Townsend, director of Heart & Soul Community, said: "The 12 received 1:1 mentoring support and personalised action plans to overcome the barriers stopping them from finding work. We have also been working with them on their CVs and interview skills, and I'm pleased to say that as a result of the support they have received, 2 have secured jobs."
Councillor Elias Mattu, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communities, said: "This project is unique in that it has supported unemployed residents from the Fallings Park area to overcome some of the barriers they are facing to finding work. It has been very successful and we are already planning similar projects with partner organisations in other parts of the city."
Some of those who took part in the project gathered to receive their certificates at an event today (Wednesday 25 March) held as part of Wolverhampton Working Well Week, which has seen organisations come together to host more than 40 events to support local people to find the right job, get the right training and improve their health.
Working Well Week is part of Wolverhampton's drive to improve opportunities, prosperity and health for residents, and is also part of the first City Conference Season which aims to raise the profile of Wolverhampton, its people and the opportunities here.
- released: Wednesday 25 March, 2015