Building skills for life – Shoreline placements help local unemployed enter the world of work

Published by Shoreline for Shoreline Housing Partnership in Housing and also in Communities

Twelve unemployed adults from across North East Lincolnshire are entering the world of work through specially created placements at Shoreline Housing Partnership.

The six month paid placements – supported by North East Lincolnshire Council’s Change programme – aim to provide individuals with skills, experience and confidence to move from long-term unemployment into the workplace.

The opportunities are being provided in a range of occupations including administration, finance, customer service, procurement and legal.

And unlike conventional work experience, the placements also receive a wage.

Shoreline programme manager Phil Thames said: “The placements help people get a foot in the door but they’re not just simply about securing a job. We aim to help people overcome the barriers they face to finding long-term employment – everything from a lack of experience, low confidence, health problems or financial barriers so they can find work but more importantly stay in work.

“The structured six month support programme gives individuals a better opportunity to secure further employment. Some people move into a regular job after only three months, some take longer but the placements give them the self confidence, skills and positive approach to find and move onto the next step of the ladder and realise their potential.”

Administration placement Dale Hanson said: “I found that a lot of employers were not willing to take the risk of hiring an inexperienced employee or not willing to take the time to train up someone new, so I fell into a Catch 22 situation - I couldn’t get a job because I lacked experience and I couldn’t get experience because I couldn’t get a job.”

Fellow trainee Harriet Hay added: “The majority of employers said that they were not taking on any new staff due to the current economic climate and budget cuts.” 

Ryan Day spoke of personal barriers to finding employment: “I found it hard to get a job that fits in with my health conditions. I think I will gain new skills and be able to show them working in a busy office.”

Since 2009 Shoreline has worked in partnership with the Change programme to create over 250 supported work opportunities for local long-term unemployed people.

North East Lincolnshire Council delivers a programme of services, through the Change programme, which aims to support unemployed residents access work and help businesses to create new employment opportunities.

The total number of unemployed adults under 25 in theUK has recently hit an all time high.