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Global
GrantsMaria was forty-one years old and was working as part-time administrative assistant in an accountancy department. Maria had been with the company for several years and had worked her way up to a job that she really enjoyed. Maria had been informed that she was to be made redundant within the year and because of her lack of qualifications feared that she would be unable to find similar work. Maria found out about Global grants through her Trade Union representative in her workplace who sourced all the application and assessment forms she needed to complete and helped her through the whole application process.
Maria undertook an AAT technician’s course at Derwentside College commencing in September 2004. Maria completed level one and two of the course that qualified her as an AAT Accountant. Once qualified Maria hoped it would give her a better prospects in the employment market place.
Maria is now in full time work as an accounts technician. She is delighted that she was able to complete her training and been given the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification, which in turn gave her excellent opportunities in the workplace.
“Thank you very much for the opportunity to allow me to complete
my training. Please continue to give out money to allow people to train, raising
the standards within the workplace and inspiring people to improve their environments
and opening up more opportunities to them. Thank you!”
Daniel was 20 years old and had been unemployed for 1 year and 5 months, Daniel had previously worked as a warehouse operative and he had also worked in the building industry. Daniel had had a chaotic personal life however, involving drug and alcohol abuse and periods of homelessness. He had more recently completed a custodial sentence and accessed the Entry to Employment project through the probation service. Daniel wanted to move on with his life and viewed regular employment as essential to prevent his re-offending. His criminal record however had become a barrier to entering the labour market. Daniel had no formal qualifications but had attended a NACRO course in mechanics.
Daniel had approached Princes Trust and Job Centre Plus for funding to take forklift truck driver training but with no success. Daniel had identified local opportunities for employment on successfully gaining a qualification in forklift truck driving as many job vacancies had been advertised locally. He underwent Reach and Counterbalance training with KDS Training after being awarded a Global Grant and started a job within three days of passing his test.
“I really enjoyed the training – it was really straightforward. I had no problems with it at all. Once I’d passed the training and test, my mam and me just went through the Yellow Pages calling up companies to see if they needed forklift truck drivers. I got a job three days later”.
“Thank you very much for the opportunity for me to get training
and put the past behind me. I thought with my background I would not be able
to move on. Thank you!”
Robert was made redundant from Rothmans 4 years ago and used his redundancy to pay off his mortgage. He had intended that this would be early retirement, but his marriage broke down and he had to remortgage the house in order to meet the divorce settlement, as a result of which he needed to return to work. However at 58 he was finding obtaining employment difficult. He had only had two jobs in his working life and had never before been out of work.
Robert reqeusted funding for an Asbestos Awareness & Offshore Sea Survival course. Robert's referee confirmed that there was a job as an asbestos stripper with Pyreroy available for him as soon as he received the relevant qualifications. Pyeroy were impressed with his work record and attitude and had no hesitation in recommending the application. He required asbestos removal training, offshore sea survival (which Pyeroy advised would greatly increase the amount of work available to him), his asbestos medical and a Kamira Mask. He had exhausted all his savings as part of the divorce settlement and could not afford the repayments on any loan.
Robert had tried various avenues to seek employment but given his age had little success. He had few resources left to fund his training and a Global Grant would make a considerable positive difference to his circumstances - not only improving his employment opportunities but also raising his confidence and self esteem. He had an excellent work history and was determined to make the most of the opportunity which this would afford him.
“The training was very thorough but knew I could do it. It was physically exhausting but I’ve kept myself fit all my life and trained everyday, I didn’t have any problems. I passed the training and Pyeroy signed me up with a job the very next day.”
“I thought that when I was made redundant and I’d paid of
all my debts, like my house, that my life would be straight forward. It was
really hard at first. I’ve worked all my life and I thought I was just
going to have to adjust to it. Then things happened and I was suddenly left
with no money, no security, no job and too old to start a new life. I just
can’t tell you what difference this has made to me. The grant didn’t
just pay for my training; it gave me an opportunity to get my self-confidence
back. A year on and at 59 years old I’ve worked solidly – I’ve
been so busy I only managed to have 8 weeks off in a whole year! I work with
a bunch of men from all different backgrounds and I’ve travelled all
over the country. What can I say? A big thank you to you all!
Brian was aged 45 years and was medically retired from his job as a machine operator at British American Tobacco in October 2003. Brian is partially sighted and his sight will never improve although the deterioration has slowed to a minor level. Brian decided to undertake a Teaching Certificate so that he could gain employment as an IT tutor working with partially sighted and other disabled groups. He was working as a volunteer when he heard about the opportunities surrounding Global Grants.
Brian completed his F.E. Teaching certificate and the grant supported the costs of a laptop, scanner, and materials. He successfully completed the course and gained certification. He is intending to continue with his training to further enhance his job opportunities.
Since gaining his qualification Brian has been successfully working at the Blind Society, initially in a teaching position but has since progressed to Advice and Guidance and is undertaking a qualification in this field. He is delighted with the outcome and cannot express enough the benefits it has brought him and the positive affect it has had on his life.
“The application and assessment process was straight forward and
help and support were constantly available if you did have any problems. Keep
doing what you are doing, keep giving out the Grants - you never know when
I may need your help again! Thank you, so much!”
Sam was 18 years old and had been registered unemployed for 4 weeks. He left school when he was 16 years old and had never been officially unemployed, but during the past two years had worked in a number of temporary positions, casual labouring work. Sam had a real willingness to work, but have found it difficult to secure long term, well-paid employment because of his age and lack of qualifications and work experience. Sam had always worked hard in all his casual labouring jobs, but admitted that he had no real direction in his search for employment. Recently Sam replied to an advert looking for steeplejacks at a local company.
Sam had identified several job opportunities but lacked the qualifications and relevant experience necessary to obtain such employment. Sam had gained abseiling experience at an activity centre in Darlington when he was younger and showed real aptitude. Due to his perseverance and persistence he gained a three-week trial at a local company, PC Richardson’s, and made a real impression on the company manager. He was provisionally offered a job with the company as long as he undertook the appropriate training and received a qualification. Sam applied to Global Grants to cover his training costs for his Level 1 IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association). He had heard locally about the project in Darlington and initially approached Lascelles Into Work. The application and assessment process was handled smoothly and he had no problems in completing the training and gaining certification.
Sam immediately took up employment with Richardson’s and worked continuously over the year in steeple-jacking, cliff-shoring and building cleaning and restoration. The rate of pay is excellent and he has had excellent feed back from his employer. He is currently not working as the work is seasonal due to weather conditions and the Health and Safety aspects surrounding his line of work but he has a very positive relationship with PC Richardson’s who has requested that he remains in weekly contact with the company. He gained a certificate and a booklet on completion of his course and remains focussed and positive that he will soon be back to work.
“Thank you very much for the opportunity to allow me to train. It was easy to apply and the help I received from Lascelles was great. I’m determined that when the weather improves the work will come flooding in. Thanks again!”
John is 55 years old and had been unemployed for almost 8 months following his redundancy at the Learning Centre in Spennymoor where he had worked as centre manager for 4 years. John had qualifications that were gained in previous employment as sheet-metal worker where he was as a Shop Seward for the TUC, but they were not compatible with the type of employment that he wanted to take up.
John had consistently sought employment but felt that his age and lack of recognised qualifications hindered his progress into Advisory/Counselling – an area that he was very interested in. John decided his only option was to retain and as was accepted onto the Advisory/ Counselling and Basic Skills Tutor Training course at Bishop Auckland College. He entered the second year course as a mature student with transferable skills and he received confirmation that the TUC would provide him with a training voucher to cover the costs of his basic skills training. The college indicated that given his background, his aptitude and the shortage of Basic Skills tutors in the area, they would consider employing him upon successful completion of his course. John was a volunteer at Age Concern and was also interested in volunteering at LEAP Adult Education Centre in Bishop Auckland and his local CAB.
John’s counselling course costs were being paid for because he was unemployed but his unemployment benefit would cease once he started his training. John had no redundancy money left to cover his travel and book costs while he trained.
John has really enjoyed his training so far. He has completed level 2 of his City & Guilds in Literacy & Numeracy and his tutor was so impressed that he immediately signed John up to do level 3. He has completed his level 3 in Advice and Guidance and also completed his CAB training and is now a (supervised) adviser. The College is so impressed with John’s dedication and enthusiasm that there will be a job for him when he finishes his course. As his benefits stopped as soon as he started training, John now also works 4 nights a week as a porter in a local hotel.
“I can’t even begin to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed
my training or how much I appreciate the opportunity to do it. The more training
I’ve done, the more interesting it becomes. I work 4 nights a week and
go to college 4 days a week. Yes, it’s exhausting but it’s what
I need to do, and want to do, to get the job I want. When I was made redundant
I thought the chances of me becoming employed again were remote because of
my age. Now, I enjoy this so much I want to carry on doing more. It’s
so interesting. I’m sending you [County Durham Foundation] a full report
on what I’ve achieved at the end, so that you can show other people
that it can be done. Thank you”.
