Supported by J.P. Morgan through the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, and with backing and guidance from local businesses, BCHA are launching an exciting new employment support programme called New Directions, to be delivered in partnership with Dorset Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster (Dorset EMC).
The New Directions programme will work with growing employment sectors in the Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset region to produce a bespoke skills training approach focusing in particular on jobs with local engineering and manufacturing employers.
The launch coincides with BCHA’s 50th anniversary campaign – entitled ‘Bchangemakers’ – which focuses on partnership working to provide practical solutions to homelessness, social exclusion and unemployment and help people find a way forward.
Carmela Richmond, Project Manager for New Directions, said, “Locally there is a skills gap, with employers struggling to recruit trained and motivated staff. We are delighted that J.P. Morgan has provided support for BCHA with a grant of £406,000 over a two year period to deliver this programme, especially as there is an increase in the number of manufacturing and engineering jobs within Dorset. The partnership with Dorset EMC will give us the opportunity to work collaboratively with employers to ensure we are equipping local unemployed people with the skills that employers need. We are keen to engage with other employers in these sectors and would urge them to get in touch to see if we can support their recruitment needs.
The twelve-week programme is aimed at people aged over 25 who are out of work to help them develop skills, improve wellbeing and identify routes into employment or further learning linked to the needs of the local economy.
The first three weeks we will be working with participants to improve their personal development through a variety of workshops.
This will be followed by a nine week practical skills training project with input from local employers, creating pathways to employment with these local employers or progression to further learning.
Carmela Richmond, adds, “We recognise that all individuals have something to offer employers if they can be given a chance to demonstrate their skills in a way other than through conventional routes.
Gary Ford, Managing Director, J.P. Morgan, Bournemouth said, “We have deep roots in the local area and have a desire to ensure that economic prosperity is more widely shared by everyone in our community. Therefore, we are delighted to be supporting BCHA on this collaborative model, which supports local people to better access employment opportunities in a local growth sector.”
Through New Directions BCHA are confident that they can encourage participation through personal and social development activities, that will lead to the growth of skills, an increase in self-confidence, which together will help overcome barriers into employment.”
For further information about the New Directions Programme, please contact Carmela Richmond, Project Manager – New Directions
Tel No: 01202 410597, Mobile No: 07966 800122.
BCHA, St Swithuns House, 21 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NS”