Helping people to find employment is an important part of our commitment to the local community and we are currently accepting referrals to our employment services team. Our team of qualified Employment Advisors work with job seekers to help them move forward, overcome their barriers and find good quality jobs. We pride ourselves on our friendly approach and our ability to understand what local people need to achieve success. Please see below further information:
Dedicated Employment Advisor
All of our customers are allocated a Key Worker who will work intensively with them to overcome their barriers and move into paid work. Our Advisors are established within the team and are fully qualified/experienced in working with hard to reach groups. We offer a targeted approach to job searching which includes contacting suitable employers on behalf of our customers to generate opportunities. Our approach is a wraparound model, which means we go above and beyond to help customers with complex issues. We can meet people at our centre, or somewhere where they feel comfortable. To help people deal with their barriers, we link closely with local specialists to address needs.
Courses
We deliver a number of onsite courses which all our customers will have access to. These include:
- Employability courses (including application forms, interview tips, successful job searching and life planning)
- Confidence building & health/wellbeing courses
- Level 2 accredited courses such as: Health & Safety, Food Hygiene Certificates and First Aid
- Basic IT
- Craft & Art classes (for breaking isolation and developing peer support)
- ESOL
Job Club
All our customers will be able to access the weekly job club for additional job searching activity. Job club is always manned by a qualified Employment Advisor.
Work experience / volunteering
All our customers are encouraged to undertake some work experience to help them build their confidence, plug the gap on their CV and gain a referee. We are proud to work in partnership with many organisations across Calderdale to offer good quality experience opportunities, which often lead to paid employment. Opportunities are arranged by their Advisor and fully supported.
Other general employment/training requirements, including:
- Advice and Guidance
- CVs
- Application Forms
- Interview Skills
- Overcoming Barriers
Together Calderdale
Integrated English Language skills incorporating ESOL and developing life in the UK.
The Workshop
Our onsite workshop is an innovative and creative space for our customers to gain valuable skills and confidence. It provides development and learning for those customers who are usually disengaged and uninterested in a classroom environment and allows us to develop their employability & aspiration through a different method. We have found that this group tend to commit & engage better with a more practical approach and includes woodworking, onsite maintenance, painting & decorating and gardening.
The Outback
The Outback community Kitchen and garden is a Halifax Opportunities Trust project based in Calderdale’s Park Ward. The large garden runs on organic and sustainable principles and is packed full of edible produce including herbs, fruit and vegetables. There are lots of interesting areas and features for local people to explore and learn more about the natural environment. The straw bale kitchen provides a perfect space for the community to gather and cook food. People can use the space to volunteer and is particularly useful for people with mild to moderate mental health issues.
Eligibility criteria applies – please give us a call first if you would like to check for your customer.
Please contact: Lisa Connelly – Employment Services Coordinator – [email protected] or call 01422 347392