Community based employment training
Thirty-two young people to be employed by Linstone Housing.
Linstone Housing has launched its employer-led Community Based Transitional Employment Training Programme (CBET). Over the next nine months, Linstone will employ 32 young people who have otherwise been out of work or training. The first 16 participants started on Monday 29 January and have now completed the induction period.
This initiative is financed by Invest in Renfrewshire and European Structural and Investment Fund Youth Employment Initiative. Linstone successfully bid to deliver this employment and training programme with Invest in Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Council’s programme to boost the local economy and tackle unemployment.
Linstone will co-ordinate provision of the programme through mentored work experience placements with Linstone’s in-house Estates Management Team, alongside four other work experience partners: The Bell Group, ISS Facility Services Landscaping, Young Enterprise Scotland and Paisley Housing Association.
The work placement participants will experience a training programme blended with the 21 hours work experience each week. Vocational accreditations and employability support will be delivered by West College Scotland (WCS), from their Paisley Campus. Personal development and life skills will be delivered by Glasgow Homelessness Network (GHN) through its Keys to Learn programme. Learning about financial responsibility will be achieved through a bespoke three-day workshop Learn to Earn, delivered by Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). The programme will be co-ordinated by Linstone’s Work Experience Co-ordinator, Michael Hollinger, to ensure the necessary support for each individual throughout the placement.
Block two of the programme will commence at the start of April, with a further 16 employment opportunities.
Adele Fraser, Chief Executive at Linstone Housing said:
“Linstone have for many years been involved in wider community regeneration. In this our 20th year, we are delighted to be able to expand this commitment to include the Community Based Transitional Employment Training Programme. Working in collaboration with our local contractors and partners we are able to provide genuine work and training opportunities to local people.”
Ruth Cooper, Economic Development Manager, Renfrewshire Council, said:
“Linstone Housing are providing a vital programme that will employ, supervise and nurture young people, develop their workplace skills, experience and ability to progress to sustainable employment in construction, landscaping and self-employment.
“Linstone are working with us as a specialist provider targeting support for those furthest from the labour market, often with multiple barriers to employment. Supported by European Structural and Investment Fund Youth Employment Initiative, this programme will provide work experience to support individuals to progress to sustainable employment in the future.”
Pictured: Linstone’s 16 newest employees on their induction day at Linstone Housing Association beginning their six-month employment and training experience. Far left: Lesley Anne Junner, Director of Finance and Corporate Services; Carol Gemmell, Community Regeneration Officer; Far right, Michael Hollinger, Programme Co-ordinator.