Course for parents is a big success

Ayrshire College has recruited 27 students for its latest Skills For Life training programme in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and the Department of Work and Pensions.

The Skills For Life programme supports unemployed people into work by providing them with the confidence and necessary skills required for the workplace.

Single parents in North Ayrshire were identified to enrol on this year’s programme, which started in February at Ayrshire College’s Kilwinning Campus.

The students began with six weeks of intensive training at the College before moving into paid placements within North Ayrshire Council.

Last year the students were given placements within the Council’s facilities management and catering teams. This term the training has been expanded to also include teams in administration and care.

The 2016 programme was a huge success with 20 students from a group of 24 progressing into positive destinations. 18 people moved into paid employment upon completion of the six month course, while a further two progressed to college and university.

Joyce Stirton, Inclusion and Engagement Team Leader at Ayrshire College, said: “We have identified a huge amount of single parents for this course, we offer support as many of them are returning to education after a long time away. We give them a positive environment to learn.”