Disabled people can get help on job hunt (From Swindon Advertiser)

Disabled people can get help on job hunt

6:04pm Wednesday 15th February 2012 in News By Josh Layton

AFTER spending 15 months out of work, Liz Gurhy finally has a good feeling about her job hunt.

The mum-of-two is taking part in a project called Energy2Work, which helps people from Swindon with disabilities to find employment.

Participants meet potential employers, develop skills and undertake placements with businesses.

Liz went straight into work after school, spending eight years as a tailor, but fell unemployed as an adult after her marriage broke up.

After two weeks of training to improve her skills, she hopes to complete an eight-week placement and land a position as a porter.

The 53-year-old, who has moderate learning difficulties, said: “Having a job gets you self-respect. Some of the younger ones won’t work unless it’s for £20 or £30 an hour, but you have to be realistic.

“I’m the oldest person on the course and I try to help the younger people with my knowledge. A job’s a job, it doesn’t matter what it is. It shows you are prepared to work and builds up your employment history.”

This year 120 people are expected take part in training and placements at Energy2Work – the largest number since it began in March 2009.

The organisation, based on the Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, is part of Social Enterprise, Quality of Life, a body providing health and social care support. Funding comes from Swindon Borough Council and directly from SEQOL.

Ann King, supported employment project manager for Energy2Work, said: “We run courses on confidence building, communication skills and team work and get people to a place where they can get an interview and stand a chance of being successful.”

Potential employers visit Energy2Work to talk about the different elements to their business and their expectations when people attend interviews or placements.

Energy2Work also places people at the Enterprise Works factory in Elgin, which makes wood products, road signs and boxes. Mrs King, who has 21 years’ experience of working in supported employment, said: “You might have someone with qualifications take a position for the short-term while they try and find their dream job, while the people businesses recruit from us are more likely to stay in the role, which cuts recruitment and training costs.”

For details, call 01793 548060 or visit www.energy2work.co.uk.