Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Rosena’s got brill Prospects
Mum relishes challenge of her new job
An employability programme has helped more than 1000 people into work during its first 12 months – including a Coatbridge woman who has gone on to win an award.
North Lanarkshire- wide scheme Prospects has worked with 2251 people and supported 1017 into employment since launching last June, thanks to its programme of tailored support for jobseekers.
It provides CV advice, confidencebuilding techniques, interview skills, work trials and job matching, helps participants overcome personal barriers to work and gives access to a pool of local posts sourced by the council’s employability team.
Among those who have benefited from the project are Monklands mumoftwo Rosena McIntyre, who has successfully secured a post at Fishers Laundry in her home town.
She was previously a barber to trade, but on finding herself unemployed, she turned to Routes to Work and North Lanarkshire’s Working, which manages the Prospects scheme.
Rosena received help with applications, interview preparation, confidence building and up-skilling – which saw her successfully find her new post with Fishers.
The Coatbridge woman then went on to be named as joint winner of the Davie McIntosh award for employability by Routes to Work at last autumn’s North Lanarkshire celebration of learning.
She said: “I cannot explain how grateful I am to the people at Routes to Work for helping me on my journey to find a job.
“Before I was given support from North Lanarkshire’s Working, I really was at rock bottom. The help they provided wasn’t only life changing, but was life-saving for me.
“I’m loving my new job with Fishers; it’s hard work and is totally different from working as a barber, but I’m out to work hard and I’m glad I took the decision to apply. I’d definitely recommend the services provided by North Lanarkshire’s Working to others.”
Councillor Frank McNally, who is North Lanarkshire’s education convener, said: “The success of Prospects is clear for everyone to see and the differences it has made to so many people’s lives is really positive.
“Employment in North Lanarkshire rose by 13.2 per cent in 2016-2017, and I have no doubt that the council’s employability programme has contributed to that. We’re focused on offering as much support as possible to unemployed people and to local businesses; we offer one- to- one support, job matching for unemployed residents, a full recruitment package and wage incentives to businesses. I look forward to the council helping more people into work and have no doubt Prospects will continue to be a success.”
The scheme is open to unemployed people in North Lanarkshire of all ages who are not in full-time education; www. northlanarkshiresworking. co.uk.