The Ceremony will be held in the Council Chamber at the City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ.

Please RSVP by 30th June 2010/mail@accesstoindustry.co.uk or 0131 260 9721.

Terry’s efforts to turn his life around were acknowledged at the recent Scotland’s Learning Partnership Awards ceremony for which Terry had been nominated through local education programme, Passport.

Terry came to Edinburgh’s Passport programme – an accredited programme of 1:1 support for ex-offenders, care leavers and recovering drug users to move on to work, training and college – while serving a sentence in Polmont Young Offender’s Institute. With real determination to put his past behind him, Terry successfully completed qualifications in Jobseeking Skills and Personal Effectiveness in Polmont and a Rural Skills course after release. 

Terry said “I have achieved lots through Passport. I’ve been able to get on training programmes that have given me focus, qualifications and more chance of getting the job I want.”

While on the Passport programme Terry enrolled on the Access: Cars trainee mechanics course delivered by GTG Training Group.  He completed the course and is using the experience gained to go into self employment as a car valeter. 

Terry said “If I was speaking to other young people I’d be saying look at your life now it might not be too good but you can get the skills to better yourself and I’m an example of that.”

Terry is the eighth award winning adult learner to come through Access to Industry projects over the past 6 years.

Terry with his award

Access to Industry Passport manager, Seamus Spencer, said “Terry’s story is an example of what’s possible when we combine individual determination with the right support and right opportunity. I think this project remains one of the best ways to help people move on from offending and other difficulties.”

John began working with Access to Industry (AI) in April last year when he took on the role of volunteer on AI’s Access Media course.  John had been working with Intowork following personal battles with confidence and low self esteem and was advised to apply for a place on AI’s innovative course. Access Media gave students an insight into

film-making, even giving them the opportunity to become involved in the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Unfortunately, because he already held an HND in Creative Industries Television from Jewel & Esk College, John was told that he was slightly over qualified for the course but that an even more challenging role was available…

With a wealth of volunteering experience, notably with West Lothian Youth Action Project, John was told that a volunteer was needed to assist the Access Media students whilst they completed the course. John applied for the position and ended up attending the course every day. He was driven by the thought that some of the students on the course may have wanted to overcome similar issues to the ones he had faced, such as feeling too old to change career or move on to college just like he had done only a couple of years before.

Showtime!

During a separate stint of volunteering he completed after his work on Access Media, John came across the recruitment advert for the Access Showtime course on the AI website. Access Showtime is a traineeship run in partnership with the Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre which provides an opportunity for people to access employment in front-of-house theatre. The traineeship provides students with specialist customer service training and an SQA unit in Job Seeking Skills.  Since John has always loved the Playhouse, he thought “nothing ventured, nothing gained” and applied for a place on the course.

John, pictured here with Access to Industry's Erin Keeley-Messier.

As a direct result of completing the course, John was offered the opportunity to complete 3 shadow shifts and an interview at the Playhouse. He has now been working front-of-house at the Playhouse since 11^th December 2009. John is delighted with his 15 hours a week shifts there. His tasks range from selling programmes and ice cream to ushering. John will soon be moving on to selling refreshments at the kiosk at busy times during shows – something he thought he would never have the confidence to do. John loves his job at the Playhouse and attributes a lot of this to the friendliness of his fellow staff members.

Living the dream!

John’s work at the Playhouse has given him lots of confidence to pursue his further goals, the main one of which was to apply for university. Having always had a big interest in the media, John applied to Edinburgh’s Napier University to study television.  John had been keeping an eye on the recruitment market in the field of film and television and discovered that he would need a degree to ensure a better chance of starting at the bottom rung of the industry. John is delighted he has been accepted on to the course and is looking forward to starting it immensely not least because it will give him a chance to enter Scottish Screen’s NETS (Creative Scotland – New Entrants Training Programme) course which around 25,000 people apply for but offers only 8 places per year.After completing his degree, John is planning to complete a Masters at the Screen Academy at Edinburgh’s Napier University. He feels he is now “living the dream”!

On Monday 29^th March at the Hawick Learning Campus, Borders College Jayne Gracie, Head of Department for Care and General Education, and Bill Sim, Workforce Planning and Development Manager for Social Work Services at Scottish Borders Council, presented ten students with College Certificates to celebrate their completion of the thirteenth Prepare to Care course.

This innovative course is run in partnership between Access to Industry, Borders College, Careers Scotland and Scottish Borders Council Social Work Services and Community Learning and Development on behalf of the South East Forum for Wider Access.  The aim of the course is to prepare those people in the Scottish Borders who are currently unemployed or have few qualifications, for a new career in the expanding care sector. The course is delivered 3 times a year across the Scottish Borders – Duns, Hawick and Galashiels.

The Prepare to Care course, which is delivered by Borders College, provides students with an understanding of the core values and principles which underpin the National Standards in care practice. The students also learn about the basic needs of service users and the importance of treating them as individual and avoiding stereotyping.    

The successful students have gained an SQA module at Intermediate Level 1 and will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement with Care Home employers within the local community.

The students of the Prepare to Care course in Hawick

Some of the students from the Hawick course are aiming to move on to further study at Borders College. Others are planning to undertake the ‘We Care’ pre-employment course, delivered in Selkirk by Access to Industry in partnership with NHS Borders, BC Consultants, and Scottish Borders Council. Two of the students have already secured jobs, one of which is a direct result of undertaking the course.

One student who has successfully completed the course in Hawick said “This was a great course and the team spirit from all my fellow students and our course tutor motivated and encouraged us all to pass our exam with flying colours.”

There are places left for the next Prepare to Care due to start in April in Galashiels. For more information about the Prepare to Care course or how to start a new career in the Health or Care sector, please contact:

Kirsty Summers on 0131 260 9721 ]]> http://www.accesstoindustry.co.uk/courses/news/hawick-prepares-to-care/feed/ 0 http://www.accesstoindustry.co.uk/courses/news/access-to-industry-passport-project-wins-kids-count-directors-award/ http://www.accesstoindustry.co.uk/courses/news/access-to-industry-passport-project-wins-kids-count-directors-award/#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:00:13 +0000 accesstoind http://www.accesstoindustry.co.uk/courses/?p=370

Presentation of Kids Count Directors Award

Access to Industry’s Passport Project was last week awarded with a special Kids Count Director’s Award at a prestigious reception at the House of Commons in London.

 Representatives from the Passport Project joined leading politicians and sporting celebrities including Olympic Gold Medalist Linford Christie on the Terrace at the House of Commons for the third annual Kids Count Inspiration Awards.

 The Kids Count Inspiration Awards recognises those individuals, young and old, and organisations that have been responsible for inspiring young people in their communities. A record number of nominations were received this year for individuals and groups who are addressing issues that affect the lives of children by creating initiatives that are grounded in practicality and realism, make a positive difference, and afford greater freedom to young people to determine their own futures.

Passport is an accredited employability programme providing support for young people moving on from care and prison, working in partnership with Edinburgh City Council’s Through Care and Aftercare department, and with Polmont Y.O.I. This project is unique as it displays innovation, creativity, commitment and passion to ensure a structured, quality one-to-one service for young people.

Passport is so much more than the ‘traditional’ CV writing and careers guidance services.  Passport is a personal one-to-one support service available as weekly sessions and as a rolling group programme to help overcome barriers (e.g. lack of education/work experience, housing issues, offending behaviour) stopping young people getting to where they want to be.  It’s based on a unique and person-centred relationship that exists to raise aspiration, challenge and motivate.  The creativity is reflected in the quality, imagination and effort that goes into the project and in the attitude and effort of staff.

Passport provides tangible opportunities in the form of courses with real progression routes such as Access: Cars and Extreme Makeover.  Elsewhere in Access to Industry, there are many accredited learning opportunities to progress on to, created in partnership with Edinburgh-based Colleges.  Passport also offers work placements with well known and inspiring organisations such as John Lewis, Marriott Hotel, Royal Mail and Marks & Spencer. Since January 2007 – February 2010, Passport has worked with a total of 473 young people, with 240 gaining SQA qualifications; 47 securing employment; 78 moving onto college and a further 97 moving on to training programmes.

Linford Christie said: “It’s an honour to be part of such a great initiative.  All of the winners this evening are champions in their own right and the Passport Project is an inspiration to others, both young and old.”

Kids Count Chairman, Richard Stephenson, said: “The Passport Project was an obvious choice for the special Director’s Award and we were all incredibly impressed with the nomination we received for this project.  Passport is the kind of project that makes a significant difference in the lives of the young people who pass through this programme.  I am sure that this programme has helped young people find the right path for them in life and it is an organisation that gives young people huge opportunities that they would otherwise be without.  I have no doubt that those who have experienced this initiative first hand will understand why it has been awarded a special Director’s Award at this years ceremony.”

Stephenson added, “The courage, conviction and confidence that is displayed by young people and those who work with them, across the United Kingdom is often truly extraordinary but frequently overlooked.  I am very proud to be part of an organisation that not only brings young people to the heart of decision making in Westminster, but that also aims to recognise their contribution  to society through these Inspiration Awards.”

One young person, Joe (18) representing the organisation was thrilled to receive the award:

“The Passport project really helped me focus on what I wanted to do next. It helped me to get a place at college and I am studying Travel and Tourism just now and so getting a personal tour of the House of Commons and House of Lords from an MP was amazing today.”

Sian Fiddimore, Chief Executive of Access to Industry was delighted with the accolade and recognition from the UK initiative:

Access to Industry Chief Executive Sian Fiddimore

For more information about the Awards please visit the Kids Count website at www.kidscount.org.uk or contact the Director, Linda Lawrence at Linda@kidscountorg.uk / 07863200751

For more information about Access to Industry and the Passport project visit www.accesstoindustry.co.uk or contact sian@accesstoindustry.co.uk 0131 260 9721

About Kids Count

Kids Count was founded in response to the growing problems faced by children and young people, along with the failure of existing organisations to find suitable solutions to these issues.

Kids Count is a grass-roots Think-Tank aiming to find practical solutions to the broad spectrum of issues that affect children and young people in urban and rural communities.

Kids Count is a National organisation looking to bridge the gap between intellectual and practical solutions. Our objective is to be the foremost authority on successful local projects that provide national solutions to a wide range of problem issues for children and young people. We will achieve this goal, not by following any particular ideology, but by networking, searching out existing, successful, practical solutions, all over the country and refining them where necessary (with the help of experts in the relevant fields) and sharing of good practice. Once the solutions have been found, we will promote them in a national forum and lobby parliament for their use across the country.

Kids Count is not affiliated to any political party or charitable bodies, but has links with various organisations and works with all sections of society.

Kids Count believes that young people should be involved in the solution finding process. Therefore, as part of our organisational structure we have a Youth Board made up of young people drawn from all walks of life, many of whom have been recommended to us by our network of contacts & organisations. We will also work with these networks to reach as many young people as possible. One of our aims is to have a website that is attractive to, and can be accessed by, young people all over the country.

Kids Count aim is to put children and young  people at the heart of policy and of the family.

• Prepare to Care is a free 10 week course that will help you get back into education and put you on track for a career in the care sector.  All you need is an interest in working and caring for others.
• The course will give you an understanding of care skills and will offer valuable work experience in the care sector. On successful completion of the course, you’ll gain a recognisable qualification and get help with your next steps into employment or further study.
• The course is at the Hawick Learning Campus, Borders College, Scottish Borders.
• Taking part in the course does not affect benefit entitlement as the course lasts fewer than 16 hours a week 
• Help is available with travel and other costs.
• Eligibility criteria apply.

 The students we able to find out about a variety of opportunities including jobs with Brae Scotland, the Army and NHS Scotland, training courses in construction and care work with Capital Skills and college courses starting in January. Some of the highlights were:

• Over 15 students handed their CV to a recruitment agent who will review them and contact the students with job opportunities.
• 7 students spoke to the Army careers advisor with 2 attending interviews at the Shandwick Place office later that day.
• 7 students completed college application forms for courses starting in January and many more took applications away with them.
• Over 10 students looked and applied for jobs online with 1 student securing an interview with Marks and Spencer.

All who attended were impressed, with feedback from students including:

“There were lots of opportunities to choose from” and “It was really informative and helpful”. It was also of benefit to the employers, one of whom commented “It was very useful talking directly to the clients and a good networking opportunity”.

“It was very informative with a variety of options for young people” and “Helpful advice – able to signpost young people in the right direction” were two of the comments we received from some of Access to Industry’s partner referral agencies who made use of the opportunity to being some of their clients along to find out more about the work we do.

If you are a student looking for new opportunities or are an employer or training provider looking for new recruits please contact us to find out about the next Careers Fair.

On Tuesday 27^th October, Access to Industry was recognised at an event to showcase Edinburgh’s Joined Up For Jobs Partnership which is part of the Scottish Government’s Cities Strategy Pathfinders.  The Joined Up For Jobs Partnership sees employability organisations working together to help those with significant barriers to employment move into sustained jobs. The partnership works to ensure that all jobseekers get employment support appropriate to their needs, with a particular focus on those in greatest need. 

At the event, Edinburgh’s wide range of innovative services to help get people into work was highlighted during a visit from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop. She said:

“The Scottish Government is undertaking a range of work, through our economic recovery plan and ScotAction to help individuals and organisations during the current downturn. During these difficult times, it is encouraging to see the range and quality of activity aimed at supporting citizens of Edinburgh to progress into work.”

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop with Sian Fiddimore, Chief Executive, Access to Industry, and Seamus Spencer, Passport Project Manager

The Cabinet Secretary also launched the Joined Up For Jobs Customer Charter at the high profile event at the Royal College of Surgeons by saying : “I am also pleased to endorse the new Customer Charter, which underpins this activity, and shows the city’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of service in the employability field.”

Access to Industry is one of the first organisations to be awarded the Charter.  

Sian Fiddimore, Chief Executive, Access to Industry said: “I am delighted that Access to Industry has been awarded the Customer Charter. It is testament to the professionalism and hard work the organisation and staff put in to provide a first class service”.

Alastair Kirkhope

Alastair, who had suffered from alcohol addiction and been homeless in Edinburgh, had been a recipient of a Crisis Changing Lives grant to assist him to set up his own gardening business. He was also the winner in the Long Term Achiever category and was presented with his award from MP Caroline Spelman, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
His story was so inspiring that he was chosen out of 300 entrants as Barclays Achiever of the Year and the CEO of Barclays, John Farley noted that the best route to improving lives is through employment as he awarded Alastair with the overall prize.

Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government Caroline Spelman MP said:

“When someone has reached a decision to change their life then we must be ready at that moment to support them. The Changing Lives programme recognises the willingness of the individual to make a difference and that is supported here by Crisis and Barclays. And we’ve seen the results of lives being changed here today.”

Alastair and MP Caroline Spelman

Alastair first came into contact with the Access to Industry Transition project at Leith Job Centre+ in Feb 07, at that time he was staying at Dunedin Hostel. The Transition outreach worker – Seamus, supported him to explore options and helped him to get on to a 13 week self employment course through JC+ .Through the support of Transition, Alastair completed the Personal Effectiveness SQA and created his marketing and business plan and applied for the Crisis Changing Lives Award in collaboration with a self employment adviser and his caseworker at Bethany, where he had spent 6 months in rehab. With Seamus he worked through his tax credit and driving licence issues and he made the transition from incapacity benefit to self employed landscape gardener with further assistance from the Capital City Partnership.

Access to Industy Chief Executive Sian Fiddimore with Alastair and his wife Margaret

Access to Industry Chief Executive Sian Fiddimore, who was present at the ceremony, was delighted with Alastair’s achievements, and said:

“His story has highlighted how with the right support and motivation it is possible to turn your life around – but it takes determination, time and a partnership approach. Alastair is a fantastic role model for the other participants on the Access to Industry Passport and Transition programmes and is an inspiration to us all, I am very proud and wish him and his family every success in the future.”

Since setting up his landscape gardening business Alastair’s customer base has grown to the point that he is now considering taking on new staff, he has just bought a house in the Borders and is full of ideas on how to encourage others like him to break away from addictions and start a new life.

Alastair with the CEO of Barcalys Bank

About his achievements today Alastair says “I can’t believe what I’ve achieved!  It’s not been easy but I’ve worked hard to build my business and take any work I could find.  I’ve received great support along the way both from family and agencies like Access to Industry.  I’m going to keep working to improve my life!”

Alastair, CEO of Barclays Bank and Daisy McAndrew, ITN

Many of the students on the programme suffer from mental health issues including depression and anxiety and programmes like Access to Industry assist people to build confidence and address their health issues through a tailored personal programme of education.
Recently 117 students were presented with a staggering 179 qualifications, which had been achieved between February 2009 and June 2009.

 The Minister met with staff and Transition students who participate in a daily structure of learning to overcome addiction issues and talked to a group of vulnerable women on the Passport programme who were attending a Hair and Beauty vocational training course delivered in partnership with Jewel and Esk College.

Minister visits makeover class at Access to Industry

Minister for Disabled People, Jonathan Shaw said:

“It’s been valuable to hear about the experiences of people in Edinburgh who’ve overcome difficulties and are on the way to reaching their goals.

“They’re experts in their own lives, so it is vital we continue to involve them in our decision-making, so that our policies and services meet the needs of those affected.”

Transition Student Christine, who has used the Transition project to move back into training and work, said:

“Even when I was in work in the past, I have always used substances to cope with my issues. It got to the stage that I couldn’t work because of my addiction.

Coming to Transition has developed my awareness of my potential again. Their honest and non judgmental approach, along with their practical assistance, has got me focused again.

I’ve got a part time job now, and I’m doing a training course which will enable me to move into employment as a front of house theatre assistant.

Before Transition, negative attitudes and anxiety always got in the way, but now I’m more ready to move on than ever before. “

Minister visits Transition students

Access to Industry Chief Executive Sian Fiddimore was delighted with the students’ achievements, and said:

‘‘It is important to showcase the work of our students to Policy makers as attendance on our programmes is not a quick fix of CV writing and job seeking. Students recognise that this is just the start of their new careers as they acknowledge the important part education plays in overcoming mental health issues and gaining employment in the longer term, especially in these more competitive times. Over the past year, we have worked with over 530 students. 114 have moved on to college, 83 have got on to employability training programmes, and 68 have moved on to jobs. ’’

Passport, funded by the Capital City Partnership is an accredited employability programme, providing support for people moving out of care, prison, substance misuse and homelessness.

Through SQA qualifications, structured work placements and training opportunities, Passport supports and motivates clients to move back into work and further education.

Transition, funded by the Big Lottery Fund operates as a ‘mini college’ for recovering substance users. It provides a daily structured programme of accredited learning on a rolling basis. SQA qualifications focus on specific job training and core skills to move students on to further education and employment.

Minister meets Transition students