Job scheme success as dad-of-five snaps up work
ACOUNCIL employment programme has achieved its first success, with a father-of-five securing a full-time job after working with a business as a volunteer.
Shane Goodier, 39, from Bacup, was introduced to Rossendale council’s employability officer Paul Becouaran on one of his visits to the JobCentre. He would walk from Bacup to Rawtenstall to sign on.
Shane had worked for various companies, latterly Littlewoods, and had previously been a sheet metal manufacturer.
He was accepted on the Rossendale Works project, which is designed to get residents into work.
The JobCentre signposted Shane to a course at Accrington and Rossendale College and then Paul matched him to Caswell Engineers, of Knowsley Road Industrial Estate, Haslingden.
Shane started a voluntary placement with Caswell in May. He retained his benefits and received travelling expenses.
He was due to work for free for eight weeks but the placement was so successful that after just six weeks Shane secured a full-time job as a production labourer.
He said he has found his feet after a tough few years thanks to the scheme.
Shane said: “My father died three years ago and I struggled to cope with it. My wife and I moved to live with her mother but when she died we couldn’t stay there so moved to Bacup. Since gaining fulltime work my confidence has come back.
“I would like to see my career progress at Caswell. If I had not been accepted on this scheme then I would probably still be walking between Bacup and Rawtenstall every two weeks.”
Paul already has links with eight businesses and would welcome interest from other companies. There is no cost to the employer to take someone on a placement.
He said: “I am at the JobCentre every Tuesday and since the end of April I have seen 49 clients. I am big into exercise, education and work placements with the hope that they will lead to employment.
“When I am doing an assessment I know that not everybody is ready for work. It is about tailoring the programme to the individual’s needs.”
Caswell chairman Richard Coxen said: “We were pleased to have been involved in the borough council’s initiative and for our business it has been successful.
“We are happy to be able to be a part of this scheme and to be able to help Shane back into employment.”