Member Article

Helping unemployed people forge a successful future

Three people have been the first to secure paid work placements with Coast & Country as part of an innovative scheme, helping unemployed people to forge successful futures.

One of the largest housing and regeneration companies in the North East, Coast & Country launched a ‘Forging Futures’ project, in collaboration with partner agencies earlier this year.

Paul Atkinson 20, of Loftus, Thomas Matthews 22, of Guisborough, and Lee Duncan, 46, of Redcar, are the first to start work placements as part of ‘Forging Futures’.

The scheme focuses on self-marketing, interview techniques, and the development of a personal enterprise plan, while equipping participants with the skills, confidence and knowledge to seek and secure a job.

Paul, Thomas and Lee have been successful securing the first three Coast & Country paid work placements that will last between three and six months

Paul, 20, and Thomas, 22, will be working on Coast & Country’s Empty Homes scheme, which involves refurbishing long-term empty homes to provide additional affordable social housing.

Lee’s work placement is as a business administration assistant.

‘Forging Futures’ is a unique initiative between Coast & Country and SureTrax, and funded by North East Procurement Ltd and New College Durham.

Working together with jobcentrePlus and local work programme providers Avanta, ‘Forging Futures’ delivers bespoke training and engagement opportunities to unemployed people.

Iain Sim, Coast & Country Chief Executive, said: “ ‘Forging Futures’, is all about helping unemployed people overcome barriers to securing a job.

“A significant part of that is about providing meaningful, paid work placements to further enhance people’s confidence and equip them with practical experience.”

Lee said: “Being out of work can make you lose your confidence, but, thanks to ‘Forging Futures’, my motivation and self-esteem have really grown.

“I have really enjoyed ‘Forging Futures’ so far and am very much looking forward to starting my work placement and building up my experience, which should help me find permanent employment permanent employment.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Recognition PR Business Team .