CAREERS AND SKILLS
required a Level 3 qualification that I didn ’ t hold . I am very grateful for all the support and expertise which has enabled me to find a job and to change career paths . If it wasn ’ t for WEST I would have still been unemployed . I have already recommended WEST to friends .”
‘ I LACKED CONFIDENCE IN MYSELF ’ Georgia Morris , 23 , was a young mother worried about childcare if she worked . But , after help from WEST , she is now hoping to get work in a school as a classroom assistant or support worker .
She said : “ I wasn ’ t confident looking for jobs , and had no knowledge of where to look or how to apply and approach employers for opportunities . I lacked confidence in myself too because it was hard to find suitable working hours , and I lacked qualifications .
“ Through WEST I have completed training and gained qualifications . It has given me more knowledge and insight into what I want to do and where I want to be . And it has also helped me to push myself more to apply for training and employment opportunities .”
‘ IT ’ S SO ENCOURAGING ’ Councillor Peter Mason , the council ’ s cabinet member for prosperity , skills , employment and transformation , said : “ WEST is a perfect example of how working closely with our partners across the borough can help enable people to get into employment , education or training . It ’ s so encouraging to see so many people making use of the service to get on with their lives .
“ By providing targeted support for those who have been locked out of work but desperately want to work , WEST can help people overcome what might have previously seemed to them to be insurmountable barriers : Whether it is because of a lack of job search know-how , a lack of confidence or experience , or long term unemployment .”
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ? It you are unemployed , living in the borough and more than 18 years old , WEST can help . Regular one-to-ones are run in community centres and libraries across the borough , by appointment only .
Advisors can offer support on a one-to-one basis with : n CV writing n Job search and application help n Interview preparation n Career advice n Access to free , accredited training .
Call 020 8825 9894 or email WEST @ ealing . gov . uk
Got a job ? Get on our escalator
For those residents who are already in a job but still reliant on claiming some housing benefit to top-up their wages , a new scheme is available to help you develop your career .
The Skills Escalator can provide tailored advice and support to help you ‘ up-skill ’ and gain additional qualifications to improve your chances of increasing your working hours – or of gaining a higher salary or a promotion – and thus decrease your need for benefits .
Already successfully running in neighbouring boroughs , the Skills Escalator can help you get a range of accredited training – including vocational courses ( such as for construction or health and safety ) or courses to improve your language skills .
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ? You must be : n An Ealing resident n Eligible to work in the UK and working at least one hour a week n In receipt of housing benefit n 25 years old or more n Renting in private , council or temporary accommodation .
If these apply to you , email SkillsEscalator @ ealing . gov . uk or call either Vicky on 0770 295 4486 or Kayliegh on 0795 765 8194 . The project has received funding from the European Social Fund as part of the European Union ’ s 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England .
Georgia Morris around ealing Spring 2017
13