Job success celebrated in Manchester
Last updated: 3-June-2010
Story date: 27-May-2010
Maxine Lang
A single mum who has battled with cancer is celebrating finding work and a positive future as the organisation that supported her celebrates helping over 500 disadvantaged people into work through its European Social Fund contract.
After 9 years without a job 45 year old Maxine Lang is one of 11 women who have all found positions with Housing Association City West through Welfare to Work provider Working Links.
40 Working Links clients have found jobs with City West over the last year and most recently 11 local women have been offered trainee positions in a variety of traditionally male occupations such as plumbing, joinery, engineering and window fitting.
City West insist their contractors offer trainee opportunities for local people and in recognition of that commitment to the local community the organisation has been presented with a Working Links Partnership Achievement Award.
With help from partners, charities and other support organisations Working Links celebrated the 500 milestone by also recognising the achievements of clients like Maxine who have conquered huge barriers to help themselves back into employment.
After being referred to Working Links by Jobcentre Plus Maxine was helped with one-to-one practical support and courses to help her build up her confidence again.
Now Maxine, who has suffered with cancer and spent many years caring for her mother, is a trainee painter with Brammell Construction.
“I was really pleased to be given this opportunity. I have done a lot of my own decorating over the years and I really like painting, I find it relaxing. The course at Working Links improved my confidence and introduced me to people who were in the same situation as me.”
“Our 500 milestone is a huge achievement for everyone involved, said Working Links Delivery Manager, Jim Milnes.
“The people at Working Links have been supported by our enthusiastic partners, the employers we work with have displayed real commitment and our clients themselves have shown huge amounts of determination.”
The Manchester Working Links programme offers support to most people disadvantaged in the jobs market such as, lone parents, the long term unemployed, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, people with basic needs, people claiming incapacity benefit and over 50’s.
Customers can be helped with motivation, alongside practical job searches, confidence building, presentation and assertiveness, and literacy and numeracy. Pre-recruitment training courses are also available in health and social care, call centres, transport, warehousing, security and retail.