How can your organisation help?

Your organisation can provide practical work experience for someone who has been unemployed for over 30 months by offering them a fixed-term job opportunity which could in turn deliver much needed services to your local community.

There is a capacity for Step Ahead posts in various environments within voluntary or charitable organisations.

Funding?

A subsidy payment of £185 per week towards each employee’s wage is available.

Training?

Funding is provided to undertake a short course while on Step Ahead.  This includes courses such as IT Skills and Basic Food Hygiene.

Client Testimony

David is employed as a Groundsperson in Pomeroy Plunketts GAC.  Having been unemployed for a long period of time, David had become frustrated sitting at home and was keen to get back into work.  He noticed the Step Ahead vacancy online and immediately made an appointment with a Step Ahead Advisor at his local Jobs & Benefits Office and applied for the post.

David has been in his role since April 2010 and is thoroughly enjoying his return to work. “The programme is very worthwhile.  It’s great to get up and out to work again. It gives you a fantastic feeling of being useful after being unemployed. They are a really easy bunch of people to work with as instructions are given, there is plenty to do and I’m allowed to get on with it. I’m still looking for permanent employment while working at the Club and I’m finding it’s really just good for me all round.”

Pomeroy Club member, Gerry McKenna commented on the benefits of the programme to their organisation “When I first heard about this programme, to be honest I thought it was a bit cynical. But then I met David and I’ve seen the work he does and how hard he works and now I think completely differently about it. Here is a man who wants to work and does a great job but who cannot find work. We are the winners in this situation because we have a great person working for us and we receive a subsidy towards his wages. He’s doing a fantastic job. “

Step Ahead offers:

• 30 hours per week paid employment.
• An opportunity to undertake an accredited training course while in the job (receiving £100 bonus on achieving this qualification).
• Access to extra support to help them settle in and stay in the job.
• Access to a Job Coach who will offer assistance with active job search, development of a CV and job applications.

If you are an organisation in the Magherafelt or Cookstown District and operate within the community and voluntary sector and are in a position to facilitate a job opportunity, please contact Bronagh on 028 796 31032 or via email; Bronagh.duggan@networkpersonnel.org.uk.

Are you interested in completing SAGE Level 1? 

It is aimed at those seeking a first qualification in the practical use of SAGE (computerised accounts software applied to routine accounting tasks).

It is a 11 week course (one evening per week).

Contact us asap on 028 796 31032 to confirm your place.

The course commences September 2010 @ Network Personnel!

Full details on all programmes for employers on how Network Personnel can benefit your organisation.

‘Step Ahead’ is open to those who have been out of work and claiming benefits continuously for 30 months or more.

 The jobs will be within the voluntary and community sector, for example, environmental organisations, charities, sports clubs, playgroups and church organisations.

 Step Ahead offers:

• 30 hours per week paid employment.
• An opportunity to undertake an accredited training course while in the job (receiving £100 bonus on achieving this qualification).
• Access to extra support to help them settle in and stay in the job.
• Access to a Job Coach who will offer assistance with active job search, development of a CV and job applications.

Network Personnel currently have vacancies available in the following occupational areas in the Magherafelt & Cookstown area:

v      Administration

v      Care Taking

v      Childcare

v      Cleaning

 To apply for the programme please contact Network Personnel on 028 796 31032 or alternatively if you are an organisation in the Magherafelt or Cookstown District within the community and voluntary sector and are in a position to offer a job please contact Network Personnel on 028 796 31032.

It is aimed at those seeking a first qualification in the practical use of SAGE computerised accounts software applied to routine accounting tasks.

It is a 11 week course with 2 exams.

The course commences January 2010 @ Network Personnel, so book your place now to secure it for the New Year!

Participants of the project, pictured at their away day in Ballybofey on Tuesday 24th Nov 09.

The Mosaic project, which is funded by the International Fund for Ireland under their Integrating Communities programme, commenced in October 2009.

 It is a cross border and cross community training initiative which is run in co-operation with our partners Tir Boghaine Teo who are based in Carrick, Co Donegal. 

 Under the programme, participants aged 50+ are being introduced to a range of technologies including digital cameras and web cams.  In addition, they are learning to use skype, blog sites and and other internet based technologes.

 As a means of encouraging relationship building between the generations, younger members of the communities will become involved in mentoring and training the more senior group members.

 The training in the various new technologies is used as a vehicle to build cross community and cross border relationships and to stimulate discussions on issues such as culture and identity.

 The programme is aimed primarily at those who are aged over 50 years or who are under 25.  If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in the training please contact us at Network Personnel on 02879631032 or via email Bronagh.duggan@networkpersonnel.org.uk.

Pictured; Centre,James Long, left Adele Scullion Network Personnel,right Mairead Loughlin CFC Interiors

 In March 2009, James Long joined Network Personnel’s Steps to Work programme and embarked on a 13 week placement with the home furnishings specialist, CFC Interiors.

In a short time, James proved himself to be an asset to the company’s warehouse team.

His dedication to the Steps to Work programme and his motivation to gain long term employment with CFC paid off with James gaining a full-time post with the company.

James commented “The Steps to Work Programme was a good way to get in with a local employer and secure a job. During the programme I was able to prove myself and I was delighted when I joined CFC on a permanent basis”.

Mairead Loughlin, HR manager commented – “I have been delighted with the brilliant service and support from Network Personnel and with that extra help of a subsidy to pay the new staff member wages for the first six months, it just makes recruitment that bit easier in the current economic conditions.”

If you as an employer are interested in offering an employment placement through the Steps to Work programme in the Magherafelt or Cookstown District or would like further information, please feel free to contact Bronagh Duggan at Network Personnel on 028 796 31032 or bronagh.duggan@networkpersonnel.org.uk.

Pictured: Centre; Tony Quinn, Chairman Cookstown District Council, Margaret Heron, Network Personnel Manager,Back row; left to right, Brian Murray, CEO The Workspace Group, & Gerry Lindsay, DEL.

 Network Personnel has officially opened its modern spacious new premises at Union House, Union Place, Cookstown, which will ultimately assist the company in providing a better overall service to the people of Cookstown.

Mr Tony Quinn, Chair of Cookstown District Council welcomed the opening of Network Personnel’s new premises, “I am delighted to officially open these new premises, it is particularly welcoming to see the opening of such premises during these difficult economic times.  I would encourage local businesses to avail of the various employment programmes available to them through Network Personnel which can be of real benefit.”

CFC  Interiors HR Manager, Mairead Loughlin who spoke at the opening has worked closely with Network Personnel and has employed staff as a result of Network Personnel’s  Steps to Work Programme  “As HR manager for CFC I have been delighted with the brilliant service and support from Network Personnel and with that extra help of a subsidy to pay the new staff members wages for the first 6 months, it just makes recruitment that bit easier in the current economic conditions.”

Network Personnel Manager, Margaret Heron says “We are delighted to open these new premises assisting us in providing a better service, it is particularly good given the current economic environment and is extremely positive for both employers and the unemployed in the Cookstown area.”

This contract area includes Magherafelt, Cookstown, Limavady and Coleraine District Council areas.

This is a new government funded initiative aimed at helping adults back into employment.
This programme incorporates the same legislation as New Deal but is more flexible as it extends to people who do not receive any benefits and are economically inactive such as retired people and people who care for relatives.