Adult learners celebrate job success at awards

Learners from Walsall College’s Adult and Community Learning courses were commended at an Awards ceremony, which celebrated the achievements of those that took part in a project that supports the long-term unemployed.

The City Deal Working Together Project aims to increase the employment chances of those who are looking to return to work.

Darlaston South are one of the four wards across the Black Country that the project offers support to. Over the last three years, the City Deal Working Together project has worked with individuals and communities to transform their lives and provide long-term impact.

The award ceremony took place at Wolverhampton Wanderer’s Football Club this month, as the project comes to a close on 31 October 2018.

Darlaston South Finalists received an ‘Excellence Award’ for their hard work and success, including Amanda Dent, now working at Northern Gas as a Compliance Administrator and Irum Amaar, a Play Worker at Salisbury Primary School.

Stacey Hinton was also commended, as she recently started an apprenticeship at Walsall Manor Hospital as a Healthcare Apprentice, and Aaron Powell received an award following his appointment at the University of Wolverhampton as an apprentice HR Information Systems Apprentice.

In addition, Pauline Hodgkiss was recognised for becoming a Customer Services Advisor at National Express.

Susan Parr showcased her new floristry skills on the ‘Share a Skill’ stand, and showed attendees how to arrange flowers.

Susan said, “I have enjoyed being on the project. I have met so many new people, I have learnt a wide range of skills during the project. I would like to set up my own floristry business as I am very passionate about it. I am incredibly grateful to the mentors on the project for getting me to where I am today!”

Deb Smith, mentor for the City Deal Project, said: “We’re incredibly proud of what our students have achieved. They have worked to develop their potential and to impress their current employers with their new-found employability skills.

As a project, we have worked hard to ensure that adults in our communities develop the skills and qualities to find sustainable employment. Across the Black Country to date the project has achieved 2,865 engagements, 480 jobs with a sustainability rate of 70%. In addition we have delivered over 7,000 soft outcomes including digital inclusion, increased confidence, skills and qualifications.”

Jayne Holt, Assistant Principal for Learning Services at Walsall College, said: “In an increasingly competitive job market, it has never been more important to develop the skills employers say they are looking for.

Developing these necessary skills not only enables job seekers to find sustainable employment, but also empowers them to better themselves whilst supporting their families.

As a college, we aim to continue our work in supporting the long-term unemployed to enhance their skills and lives through our adult learning programmes, and to build a stronger, more prosperous community.”

Walsall College’s Adult and Community Learning team offer a wide range of courses to help you find employment. For more information on our latest vacancies, please contact Walsall College Job Shop team at jobshop@walsallcollege.ac.uk or call 01922 657000 or Community Matters Project on 07825 912559

Picture: From left to right: Wendy Matthews (City Deal Monitoring and Partnership Officer), Natalie Barker and Kate Kaur (Project Co-ordinators and Mentors for Community Matters)