Just the job for Coventry's unemployed

A scheme aimed at helping Coventry residents into employment has achieved its first successes within a month of launching.

The Employment Support Programme (ESP), a joint venture between Whitefriars Housing Group and Coventry City Council, has helped three people find jobs and is currently supporting another 20 Tile Hill and Canley residents find the right job or training for them.

It started in September with the recruitment of a Whitefriars specialist employment advice worker who works with residents to find employment or training.

Since taking up the council and Whitefriars-funded post Emma Gaiger (pictured) has been involved with around 30 residents in the pilot area, helping them to write CVs, complete application forms, gain interview techniques and learn how best to search for new job vacancies.

Emma has helped people who have been made redundant in the recent economic downturn, as well as lone parents, young people and those on disability benefits.

She said: “The project has been really well received by residents and there has been a lot of interest. One man we supported now has a new warehouse job after we helped re-write his CV. Before that he had been out of work for a year. Another lady we helped is now working at a supermarket and another is a young mum who had a successful trial with a local company and we secured her funding to help out with childcare when she then started work.

“I am also working with other residents on such things as free adult literacy and adult numeracy courses, voluntary work experience and local IT courses.”

Emma joined Whitefriars from Connexions in Swindon, before this she worked on various Job Centre Plus contracts in Wiltshire all designed to support disadvantaged people into employment and training.

The project has a target of ensuring 150 residents benefit from the scheme. It is hoped that 40 will be helped into employment within six months of the pilot ending.

Emma said: “There are jobs out there but it’s not easy, so I know a little bit of help and support could make all the difference. When people have been out of work for some time confidence drops and the temptation to give up can set in so I am pleased I can use my skills to help others.”

Residents who take up a new Whitefriars tenancy in Tile Hill or Canley will be contacted automatically as part of the pilot. Existing Whitefriars residents in Canley or Tile Hill wanting Emma’s support on employment and training options can contact her at the Torrington Avenue office on 024 7649 6700.

Employers with vacancies are also welcome to contact Emma.

As part of the pilot project, data will be gathered on who has been helped, and their progression into employment or training. This will be shared across training organisations across the city to test how the new post is making a difference and also help them to target those out of work.