Monday 5 October 2009
Groundbreaking Partnership with Job Centre Plus
Forth Valley College and Job Centre Plus have signed a ground breaking agreement to open up college provision to support even more individuals who are out of work. This is the first Service Level Agreement between Job Centre Plus and any other college in Scotland.
This exciting partnership is already off to a flying start. Working in tandem with the Scottish Government's Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE), OPITO - the Oil and Gas Academy - and the NHS, the college will use additional Government funding to launch two new exciting initiatives in the Forth Valley Area.
The first project will benefit qualified Mechanical Engineers from the Forth Valley area who have recently been made redundant and who fancy working off-shore. They are being invited to apply - through Jobcentre Plus - for the 12 places on the fully funded 16 week course, which will prepare them for work off-shore on oil and gas platforms.
A similar Jobcentre Plus referral project is also expected to be rolled out soon to provide a pre-employment programme for Nursing Assistants. This course would last approximately 12 weeks, would give students access to enhanced benefits and would guarantee an interview for a real job at the end of the course.
Applicants for both initiatives will also receive a paid training allowance equivalent to their benefits, plus £10 a week during their period of study from Skills Development Scotland (SDS).
Linda McKay, Principal for Forth Valley College said: "The College is delighted to be working closely with Jobcentre Plus, OPITO, the NHS and Skills Development Scotland to make use of this specialised funding allocated to us by the Scottish Funding Council.
"These initiatives offer a fantastic opportunity for mechanical engineers and future care workers to find work after a period of excellent training at the college and we can't wait to get started."
Billy Howie Account Manager of Jobcentre Plus Forth Valley and Perthshire said: "We are delighted to be a part of this innovative project. This is a fantastic opportunity for local people to build on existing skills or even gain new ones with a view to getting back into work as quickly as possible.
"The offshore industry and the Care sector both offer great career opportunities for people and this is a chance not to be missed. It's the perfect opportunity they need to enhance their prospects in the job market."
If you have recently been made redundant or are currently unemployed, please contact Falkirk Job Centre on 01324 505250 for advice on funding and re-training opportunities.
Notes to Editors:
1. The Scottish Government's Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) - a coordinated public response to areas where redundancies are high - will provide some of the funding. Forth Valley College will also use some of its £562,724 of specially designated extra funding from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to cover fees and costs.
