Housing charity offers work placements

Housing charity Coastline Housing in Cornwall is offering more chances for unemployed local people to get back into the workplace and refresh their skills and training.

The social landlord, based in Redruth, is launching a series of work placements across its business for anyone aged 19 and above who is currently unemployed.

An awareness event where people can find out more and apply for the programme is taking place at Heartlands on Wednesday 13th February between 10am and 1pm. The placements begin at Coastline during March.

Coastline’s work placements run for 12 weeks in teams across the company including painting and repairs, cleaning, grounds maintenance, the Homeless Service, Extra Care, and office-based roles such as Technical Services and Income Management.

The programme includes seven days of accredited training as an introduction, delivered by Work Skills Training Academy. While on placement, participants will receive further training on topics such as first aid, customer service, money management, resilience, team work and more.

Participants leave with a reference from the landlord, a refreshed CV and some great experience in their chosen area. Many previous placements have gone on to secure permanent employment with Coastline or other local employers.

Bee Rowley of Coastline Housing, said: “This programme provides a highly effectively combination of training and real world work experience, which has proved successful in helping unemployed individuals get back into work. Many of them reported an increase in confidence and wellbeing.”

Karen Hough, Employment Adviser from Redruth Job Centre, added: “The Coastline inspiring futures work placements are truly inspiring! Claimants complete their programme with renewed confidence, inspired and ready to move forward towards paid employment.”

This will be the fifth year that Coastline has run the twice-yearly programme, as part of a programme that encourages people to get back into work, volunteering or training.

To support participants, Coastline works with a number of partners including Active Plus, Who Dares Works, Positive People, Reed’s Work Routes scheme, the Job Centre and Work Skills Training Academy. Work Skills Training Academy is part of the Cornwall College Group and work with individuals and businesses, helping to upskill. These partners provide a range of support services including training and coaching, as well as practical help to remove barriers to work such as transport, childcare and clothing for the workplace.

Steve Maunder from Work Skills Training Academy, says: “The course provides a great opportunity to learners to assist them to overcome barriers to employment and become more independent.”

Frankie Rigolli from Positive People, adds: “It was very rewarding to see participants’ employment skills and confidence grow and we are looking forward to the next round of placements.”

Anyone who would like to find out more can contact the Community Investment Team at backtowork@coastlinehousing.co.uk

ENDS