Event to celebrate success of employment schemes
An event celebrating the success of two West Sussex County Council employment schemes was held last week (Tuesday November 23).
The event at County Hall, Chichester, highlighted the work of the Future Jobs Fund and apprenticeship schemes.
One hundred people attended the event including Future Jobs Fund employers and employees, and apprentices.
The Future Jobs Fund scheme was set up in January 2010 and has placed 173 young people aged 18 to 24, in work for six months, providing them with essential training and experience to help them to gain full time employment.
Young people have been working in a whole range of jobs, including ground cemetery workers, sports rangers, countryside rangers, chefs and administrative roles. They are working in various organisations from the private, voluntary and public sectors across West Sussex.
The apprenticeship scheme is open for everyone from 16 to 65 years old, and provides paid employment and training.
Apprenticeships range from caretakers to customer service positions, nursery assistants to social care support workers, and engineering to surveying.
Deborah Urquhart, County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, said: “This event shows how organisations and communities have worked together to help tackle unemployment issues in West Sussex.
“Many young people have shown progress and have been able to start careers through the Future Jobs Fund scheme, and various apprentices schemes have enabled almost 3,000 people in the county to gain employment through the recession.
“To all involved, keep up the good work.”
There were also presentations from Future Jobs Fund employees. Abby Burch, from Chichester and Craig Anscombe, from Worthing, brought to life their own experiences. Abby has now a year’s advanced apprenticeship with the County Council’s Drug and Alcohol Team (DAAT).
The Future Jobs Fund ends in March 2011. The West Sussex County Council Apprenticeship scheme continues to recruit.
