Fox Corrugated Machinery UK and CB North are the latest businesses to take advantage of the Pathway to Employment programme, which has been created to supply workers to firms in Hull and the East Riding who may be faced with recruitment needs in the wake of emerging renewables projects.
The programme, which provides 10 weeks of training and work experience to the long-term unemployed, was introduced last year. To date, 38 trainees have been offered jobs, equating to 65 per cent of those completing the programme going into full-time employment.
The Pathway to Employment programme is being delivered by Hull City Council, Unity Training and Jobcentre Plus, and is funded by the Regional Growth Fund, via the Green Port Growth Programme.
Fox Corrugated Machinery UK, a Hull-based engineering company that specialises in the manufacture and maintenance of machine parts, signed up to the Pathway to Employment programme as part of its expansion plans and recently took on 20-year-old Jack Ellerington, from east Hull, as a full-time employee.
The company joins some of Hull’s largest manufacturing businesses on the scheme, including Swift Caravans, Atlas Leisure Homes, Willerby Holiday Homes, Continental Leisure Vehicles, NR Burnett and glass supplier and processor KwikTuf.
Angie Fox, Director at Fox Corrugated Machinery UK, explains:
“Our business is a family-run operation, which started on our kitchen table back in 2001. Now, we work all over the world, across Europe and in the United States, but our growth has been steady. We felt it was the right time to take on additional members of staff and the Pathway to Employment programme made this easy. Jack has been fantastic, finishing machine parts and preparing them for welding. We see him as a long-term investment for our company and want to help him progress.
“Although we don’t work directly in the renewables sector, our team has the same skills set as those working in that industry. By training long-term unemployed people like Jack, we are contributing to our future workforce and preparing for the knock-on effect that the region’s renewable energy projects will have on the number of skilled workers.”
Jack added:
“I’m really enjoying it at Fox Corrugated. I’d been unemployed for just over a year following a rigging apprenticeship. I’d been hoping to be kept on, but wasn’t. The Pathway to Employment programme has allowed me to refresh my skills and transfer them to my new role. It’s good to be working again and I’m looking forward to progressing in my new career.”
Bob Ferraby, Green Port Growth Programme’s Skills and Development Lead, who is heading up the Pathway to Employment programme, commented:
“It’s great to see that another 14 of the 19 Pathway to Employment candidates have gained employment following their 10-week placements. Twelve of them were kept on at the same place they carried out their placement, and the other two applied for positions having had their CV bolstered by work experience and new skills.
“The fact two further successful Hull businesses have chosen to get involved is a real testament to the programme. It really is proving an excellent recruitment source and we hope the number of companies we supply candidates to grows.”
James Hartwell, Training Manager at Unity Training, said:
“The success of the Pathway to Employment programme is growing all the time. Not only are more businesses signing up to take candidates on placements, but the retention rates are very good. More than half of those who have enrolled have been given a full-time job at the end of it. We are looking forward to seeing how these candidates develop in their roles and learn of the benefits they are bringing to their employer.”
Gill Dillon, Senior Operations Employer and Partnership Manager at Hull Jobcentre Plus, added:
“Since the launch of the Pathway to Employment programme last year, confidence has grown with more businesses coming forward to offer placements. It shows belief that we can source dedicated, talented employees that will make a positive impact on their company using the skills and qualifications given to them.”
The Pathway to Employment programme’s fourth cohort started on 17th October and will be available for work placements from 21st November for any companies interested in the programme.
Information about the Pathway to Employment programme is available from the Green Port Hub, situated in Hull’s Central Library. The Hub is open: Monday and Tuesday, 9.30am to 5pm; Wednesday, 1pm to 7.30pm; Thursday, 9.30am to 7.30pm; Friday, 9.30am to 1pm; and Saturday, 10am to 4pm. For more information, call 01482 613875 or email greenportenquiries@hullcc.gov.uk
Visit http://greenporthull.co.uk/thehub for more information.
Businesses interested in supplying work placements for future cohorts should contact Liam at Unity Training on 01482 852292 or email liam@unitytraining.org.uk
