Spire Homes and the Futures Jobs Fund programme help young
people find jobs
Spire Homes has been successful in creating 12 employment
opportunities for young people this year. They have been part of a
national bid to the Future Jobs Fund programme which has been
created by the Department of Work and Pensions.
Working with Groundwork UK and the National
Housing Federation, over 6,000 jobs will be created nationally to
give young people aged between 18-24 years the opportunity to learn
new skills, boost their confidence and gain experience in the
workplace to increase their chances of securing
employment.
Ricky Ellis
Ricky Ellis has found employment thanks to
Spire Homes and the Future Jobs Fund programme. He was previously
signed up with the Job Centre for 7 months, and regularly sent out
CVs and application forms, until his personal advisor referred him
to Spire Homes and the Future Jobs Fund programme. He is now
working as a Technical Assistant, with the Care and Repair
Technical officers at Spire Homes.
“It is a perfect fit” says Ricky.
“I studied Carpentry and Joinery in College, so it helps me to
understand how to do drawings and illustrations, which is what I do
now. It’s nice to see construction from an officer’s point of view,
rather than a contractor.”
Ricky helps the Technical officers with
surveys and drawings, and uses AutoCAD which he really enjoys.
“The team is really friendly and I felt like I fitted in
straight away. Drawing on the computer with AutoCAD is excellent,
and I have picked it up really quickly. I really hope I get to stay
at Spire, but if not this experience has given me the drive and
confidence boost to get a job in ICT.”
Ricky has also been given the opportunity to
go on training courses with Spire Homes, such as a Health and
Safety and Minute training courses, and he feels this knowledge and
experience will greatly benefit him in the future.
Bebe Leigh
Bebe Leigh is 19yrs old and has been working with Spire Homes since
May 2011. She found out about the Future Jobs Fund (FJF) through
her Job Seekers advisor and Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd, who
told her that Spire Homes were involved with this new initiative.
Before Bebe found out about the FJF and Spire Homes, she
volunteered at Whitefriars Junior School as a classroom assistant
and was on Job Seekers Allowance.
When asked about her new job, Bebe says,
“It’s superb. Everyone is so king and helpful; and I find the
work so varied, and a good mix between easy and
challenging.”
Bebe’s job is Trainee Contract Administrator
and has a wide range of duties, from inputting orders and invoices,
recording surveys for Ground Maintenance, Electrical Testing,
External Works and Roofing and entering them onto spreadsheets.
“I’m currently gathering the information for the renewals
spreadsheet for Rutland and East Northants, and I input any extra
information needed on Promaster for contractors or survey
information. This is something I find really interesting.”
Bebe enjoys being trusted with various jobs
and prospects, and learning about different software. “I love
being given the responsibility to work on my own, and also with the
people in my team. They’ve made everything easier and more
enjoyable.” Bebe has received training for using Promaster,
and is also going to undertake Data Protection training.
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