Bright future thanks to new skills project
A new skills programme is helping to improve the career prospects for many, making a real difference to their lives. Future Bright helps those already in paid work and who are on inwork benefits, into secure, more meaningful and better-paid careers. Career progression coaches work with eligible individuals to help them improve their earning potential and income, by providing tailored personal and professional development. Earlier this month, West of England mayor Tim Bowles and Bath & North East Somerset Council leader Tim Warren met some of those benefitting from Future Bright at Bath’s Guildhall. Sue Manning, from Weston, was one of the first to sign up to Future Bright. She cares for her two children with additional needs as well as working as a school dinner lady. She said: “Having secured extra support for the children, I decided the time was right to start develop- ing my career and so I signed up to Future Bright. I am going to enrol on a computer course to improve my IT skills and am now looking at doing some voluntary work to boost my confidence and my CV. My coach has really helped and I now feel I can achieve my goal to improve my career prospects and pay.” Self-employed dog-boarder from Midsomer Norton, Angela Madison, wanted to increase her income and grow her business. Working with her coach, she’s completed a canine first aid course and is now looking at enrolling on a dog behaviourist course. She said: “The help I have been given has been unbelievable - honest and positive. My coach has given me the courage to push myself. I’m feeling so much more hopeful about my future and can’t thank Future Bright enough.” Spenser Baines from Bath currently works 12 hours a week in a department store. He said: “When I was told about Future Bright I jumped at the chance to improve my prospects and increase my hours. My coach has helped me improve my CV and practice mock interviews. He’s updated me on current employment opportunities and given me career advice. My employer has also been very supportive and I’m really hopeful I’ll be able to secure a better future.” Mr Bowles said it had been great hearing about the project run by the West of England Combined Authority and how people had benefitted from it. He said: “It’s clear that this new WECA project is already making a big difference and is helping participants achieve their potential and build on strengths they were previously unaware of. “The work Angela, Sue and Spenser have been doing, with the help and support of their coaches, means they are on the right path to securing a better future.” Mr Warren described the support people were getting as “inspiring”. He added: “I’m looking forward to watching their career paths develop as we work closely with them, and employers, to help build a brighter future for our communities.” To find out more about Future Bright and how it could help you, visit www.futurebright.org.uk or email your local council: Bath and North East Somerset: futurebright@bathnes.gov.uk; Bristol: futurebright@bristol.gov.uk or South Gloucestershire: future. bright@southglos.gov.uk