Access to Industry students’ achievements recognised by Minister
Access to Industry students proved there are positive opportunities to be gained after moving on from care, prison, substance use and homelessness, when they were visited by Jonathan Shaw MP, Minister for Disabilities on Friday 25 September 2009 in Edinburgh.
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
