Project: Working Skills - Employment Skills Vocational Routeway (ESVR)

ESVR delivered by Working Links in Scunthorpe, supports people who are currently unemployed, including those customers made redundant following the recent economic downturn. By focussing on those sectors which are still recruiting and preparing individuals through training and job search skills, they have given participants the opportunity for a fresh start in a new job role.

Project interviews

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Project feature

Working in partnership can change lives

When Jo visited the project, the employment situation in the region had been affected by the economic downturn, and the period up until autumn 2009 was difficult. However, referrals have remained steady and outcomes have still been achieved. The ESVR Mentor believes that the situation is beginning to improve, although referrals could still be increased. The close relationship between Working Links and Jobcentre Plus has been crucial to the success stories of several participants, as it facilitates the funding and training of people in a number of areas including construction and security. On the other side of the equation, Working Links has a team which liaises closely with potential employers to help provide appropriate personnel. This approach has proved successful with a number of local firms, including Bibby's, Nationwide, Reeves Fibreglass, Tesco, Asda, and Ann Tuplin Care Services.

The project is celebrating a number of individual success stories for participants re-entering the job market in the area of security. This sector is continuing to recruit, and there have been local opportunities which have been successfully followed up. A key element is the qualification and certification: Working Links funds courses to help individuals gain their Security Industry Authority badge, without which they would be unable to get work in the industry. Once the participants have passed the course and can show that they have a job offer, the Job Centre will then fund the cost of the SIA badge.

This joint funding enables participants to retrain and look for work with a realistic expectation of obtaining it. The security industry seems to be one of the few sustainable areas of employment in the town, although the reprieve of the steel industry here has been a big relief. The participants that were interviewed have all recently passed their SIA course and had either obtained employment or were in the process of applying, with the continuing support of the WL team.

Contact details

Samantha Bishop, ESVR Mentor
Working Links
158 High Street Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 6EN
(01472) 352228
E-mail not available