Parents are boosting their chances of finding well-paid work thanks to a North Ayrshire Council partnership programme.
Their employability service’s Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme has teamed up with partners to offer parents mentored six-month placements.
There are 18 employers involved in the Parental Employment Programme (PEP) - including Ardrossan Community Development Trust, Beith Community Association, Cunninghame Furniture Recycling, Irvine Community Sports Club, the Salvation Army and The Lennox Partnership.
In collaboration with the Ayrshire Community Trust (TACT), organisations across North Ayrshire were contacted to find out which opportunities they could offer people through PEP.
A mini recruitment fair was held in Saltcoats Job Centre to give parents an opportunity to chat to prospective employers. Preferred candidates were selected, and 30 parents are now around 19 weeks into their placements.
They have also been registered with We Work For Families (WWFF), which is a council-funded service in Ardrossan that supports parents into work and also offers them help with housing matters, gas and electricity bills, access to food bank vouchers and help with CVs. Childcare support was also offered.
Employers have offered working weeks ranging from 16 to 35 hours to give parents the flexibility they need to work round family life and commitments.
Mum-of-three Ashley Andrews has a background in admin and care, but because of a medical issue couldn’t do the physical lifting needed to care for someone.
The WWFF team invited Ashley onto a confidence-building course - as she had been out of the workplace for some time – and this prepared her to start looking for work.
She was being supported by a coordinator to update her CV and search for vacancies when the opportunity arose to join the Parental Employment Programme.
She now has an admin position with West Coast Furniture Bank in Stevenston, and is able to work during school hours to fit in with her family life.
She said: “My We Work For Families coordinator helped me to apply for the position with West Coast Furniture and I absolutely love it. The job is brilliant it is more than I ever imagined. The managers have been so supportive and patient with me.
“I love being back at work and I feel as if I have my sanity back now. I am also showing my kids that it is important to work for a living for a more rewarding life."
Mum-of-two Stephanie Maxwell has a business administration degree and wanted to update her IT and customer care skills after being out of the workplace for 10 years.
She got support from We Work for Families and is now working 16 hours weekly with The Lennox Partnership as an support coordinator and engagement consultant.
She explained: “As a family, getting this job means we have more stability in the home, it gives us the option to move to a bigger house in the future, it lets me be me instead of just mum and build adult connections.
“It helps with my confidence, especially with being out of work for so long. And this won’t just be in work, it will also have an impact on my confidence in my personal life too.
“My eldest son has been telling everyone at school his mum has a new job! He is so proud of me.”
Councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for green environment and economy, added: “This is a great example of our Employability team working closely with partner organisations to help improve life for people in our communities.
“Congratulations to the parents involved. I wish them well for the future.”
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