150 Attend Skills Fair

Around 150 people attended an Employment and Skills Fair organised by Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart on Monday July 13.The highly successful fair saw unemployed constituents accessing a range of employment and training services under one roof. – View Pictures

Graham said: “While it is saddening to see just how many people need the help and support of these various training and skills agencies, I am delighted so many took the trouble to come along. Hopefully they have taken a positive step towards getting back into work, or maybe even getting their first job.

“The organisations and agencies which so generously gave their time to attend this event covered the full age range from school leavers to specialist services for those over the age of 45 who have found themselves out of work as a consequence of the current recession.”

And he added: “We have learnt a lot from this event and it is clear there is a real need for people who are out of work to be able to take up training and skills courses which are going to help them.

“The recession has hit hard in this part of the country and many people who have worked steadily all their lives are now finding themselves out of work. There are also young people coming out of education and into the job market for the first time who are struggling to get work, for both making sure they have the skills required by employers is vital if they are to be successful.”

The Employment and Skills Fair was held at the Beverley Leisure Centre from 10am until midday on Monday July 13. Attendance at the fair counted towards the Job Seekers Allowance diary.

Graham thanked all those organisations and agencies who gave their time to attend the event. They were:

East Riding of Yorkshire Council
–    Nextstep This is a free service for those aged over 19 offering face-to-face help on training, learning and the world of work. Advice include accessing funding for training and support on how to progress when in work.
–    OWEN project A service for those aged 45+ offers free training courses as well as online support.

East Riding College
–    Skills 4 Jobs  Offering people aged 19+ with no previous qualifications the chance to try out a range of courses ranging from just a few hours to several weeks.
–    6 Month Unemployed programme Offers learning taster sessions to those with or with out previous skills and education who have been out of work for at least six months.

Plus information, advice and guidance on accessing part time/ full time courses with East Riding College, in addition to apprenticeships /advanced apprenticeships.

Cherry Tree Centre
–    Working Link Offers debt advice to those out of work as well as additional support required by job seekers.

ACAS Cover all aspects of losing work from advice on mediation, losing jobs and employment tribunals.

Job Centre Plus Offers a range of services to job seekers which go beyond basic advice on benefit claims. In particular Job Centre + has a contract with a provider of advice on CV writing, completing job application forms and interview techniques.

Yorkshire Forward Fund employment and training projects locally

Connexions Provides training and development for all young people between 16 and 18-years-old who are not in full time education or training. Connexions can access training and development within a recognised framework of qualifications at no cost as it is funded through the Learning and Skills Council. Young people between 19 and 25 may also be eligible for work-based learning.

Learndirect Provides high quality learning to people over the age of 16 to improve skills to help people find a job, change careers or progress at work. In ten years learndirect has become a nationally recognised brand for learning.

Courses range from top up skills in English and maths, through to NVQs – all of which are designed in bite sized chunks to be completed at a time. University of Hull Careers Service Provides graduates with specialist help on getting into work after graduating in a recession.