European Social Fund in England
2007 - 2013
Achievements - Reflecting on success
As we move into a new phase of delivery ESF News looks back at success stories over recent years.
In April 2005 MG Rover in the Midlands went into receivership with the loss of more than 6,000 jobs. ESF responded in days by providing £15 million to enable workers to develop skills and qualifications to help them find new jobs. The Learning and Skills Council and Jobcentre Plus implemented measures including a walk-in advice centre and a three-day jobs fair. Just a year later over 4,300 former MG Rover workers had found new jobs.
Having spent ten years at MG Rover 39 year-old Adam Malkin successfully retrained as a gas installer. Adam received help with his training plan from the ESF backed Working for Jobs programme and now has a City and Guilds qualification and has applied for CORGI registration.
"It's totally different from what I did at Rover," said Adam. "It's very satisfying."
In February 2006 the On Your Marks initiative was launched aimed at maximising regional employment opportunities arising from the London 2012 Games. The initiative was taken forward by Learning and Skills Councils, Regional Development Agencies and other partners from London, the South East and the East of England. More than £15 million of ESF money is now being used to fund projects to train individuals to take up opportunities in construction, sport and leisure and other sectors.
Ciril Devereaux appeared in the May 2006 issue. The single mother of three successfully embarked on a career in roofing thanks to advice from the ESF-supported Dido project in Suffolk. Ciril has gone on to gain a Level 3 Advanced Construction Award and works as a roofing technician at Otley College in Ipswich.
"I am definitely pleased at my new career," said Ciril. "I'd no qualifications, bringing up my boys the best I could. My ex-husband was a builder and I sometimes went to work with him. One day I was up on a roof and absolutely loved being there. I contacted Dido and the rest is history."
Kieran Venner appeared in our January/February issue this year. Kieran was one of 21 previously unemployed 16–24 year-olds who trained as chefs at the Jamie Oliver-inspired restaurant Fifteen Cornwall. Kieran and 11 others graduated with an NVQ Level 2 qualification at a ceremony at the Eden Project in June. Three graduates are now chefs at Fifteen Cornwall, two are working in the US and the others, including Kieran, are working in the catering industry.
"It was most definitely a success," says Joanne Davey from Fifteen Cornwall. "Kieran and the others discovered talents they didn't know they had."
As the new phase of ESF delivery starts to come on board we are sure to see many more success stories.