NEW CENTRE GETS LOCAL UNEMPLOYED INTO JOBS

31 July 2006Helen Doherty, TBG Learning Chesterfield Centre Manager with (left to right) Stefan Annetts (age 18), TBG Learning 'Gateway to Work' Tutor Michael Bass, Jason Marsh (age 21) and Shane Wallace (age 21).

A centre in Chesterfield which opened two weeks ago has already helped two local unemployed people to find work and two more to get interviews. TBG Learning, which already operates successfully in Derby, has opened its Chesterfield Centre in St Mary's Gate and has just finished its first two-week intensive course for the unemployed.

Called 'Gateway to Work' the course gives 18-24 year olds advice and practical help in finding vacancies, writing application letters, preparing a CV and how to handle an interview. Courses and advice for those aged 25 plus are also available and through its links with local employers, TBG Learning helps find work experience and job opportunities.

All those taking part are on the New Deal programme and are claiming Jobseekers Allowance. They are referred to TBG Learning by Jobcentre Plus, the Government's job agency, as a result of a new county wide contract won by the independent training company.

"The course is pushing me to look for jobs and I've done a lot more than I would normally do such as using the Internet to look for work. I've now got a CV and have got a job interview this week with McDonalds", says Jason Marsh, age 21 from Killamarsh, who has been unemployed since December 2005 after being laid off by a building firm.

Also on the first course, attended by seven 18-24 year-olds, is Stefan Annetts, age 18 from Middlecroft in Chesterfield. He's been unemployed since December 2005 and used to work in a warehouse.

"This has given me much more chance to look for a job and made me think about what I want to do. I'm now looking at applying to Derbyshire Police and I'm also interested in being a car mechanic", said Stefan.

Two of the seven have already left the group after finding work. One has been employed at the Brick Centre in Customer Sales and one has been employed by Derbyshire Landscape Fencing as a Block Paver. Any of the group still unemployed at the end of the course are invited to return for further informal advice from TBG Learning.

The TBG Learning team is headed by Manager, Helen Doherty, who says

"We take the time to understand individuals and find out what they are really interested in doing. We help them improve their confidence and skills in literacy, numeracy and use of computers and have a wide range of courses available which are relevant to different job sectors locally".

As well as the 'Gateway to Work' there are opportunities to train in areas such as warehousing, construction and retail sales, all leading to recognised national qualifications. Most courses are 13 weeks and all include advice on job search and interview skills.

For information either contact your local Jobcentre Plus office or call into TBG Learning's new training centre in Chesterfield at Block A, 1 st Floor, St Mary's Courtyard, St Mary's Gate S41 7TD or telephone 01246 207500. Alternatively call the Derby centre on 01332 202828.

Five staff are employed by TBG Learning at the new Chesterfield training centre. Manager Helen Doherty (previously Skills for Life Manager for TBG Learning in Derby); Michael Bass, Gateway to Work Tutor; Dena Bird, Job Search Tutor; Laura Nash, Referral Executive and Judith Bamford, Receptionist/Administrator.