Pilot Employment Programme in Flintshire

Parents into Employment is a pilot Employment Programme supported by Communities for Work Plus in Flintshire.

Aimed at parents who were ready to begin their transition from benefits into the world of work, the programme identified barriers preventing them looking for employment before supporting them to address these issues head on.  All the parents involved had children attending Ysgol Gwynedd, Flint and were put forward for the programme by the Parent Liaison Officer, Zoe Cottam.

The parents met employment mentors from Communities For Work Plus on a weekly basis completing a programme of activities including CV preparation, Interview Skills, Barista course, E-learning, Hospitality Passport, EPOS Training before finally volunteering in a café setting.   

Through this process, the group gained confidence and started to believe that they could go on and successfully find employment.  They all thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and have enhanced their CVs with numerous qualifications and experience. 

Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economy, Councillor David Healey said:

“This is a positive programme offering help and advice to parents who are ready to begin their transition from benefits into employment.  I and the team at Communities For Work Plus would like to wish the group all the best as they take positive steps with further qualifications and employment opportunities following on from this course.  They all deserve great credit for their hard work.”

Debbie Barker, Employment Mentor for the Communities For Work Plus programme stated that:

“Initially it was challenging as none of the participants had been in a classroom setting for many years, but as the group began to grow in confidence and started to enjoy the training, they began to take ownership of their own goals which encouraged them to move forward, two of the group have already secured employment.”

One participant said:

“I found the course contents enjoyable, and it is building my confidence.  When I see my score at the end it gives me such a boost.  Never thought I would enjoy learning.”

Communities For Work Plus is a Welsh Government funded programme supporting anyone 16+, living in Flintshire that is not already in employment, education, or training.   

If you would like to find out more, please contact:

cfwtriage@flintshire.gov.uk