As Employability Day approaches, a scheme that helps people to learn new skills and breakdown barriers has welcomed two new partners on board.
L!NKCD was launched in July 2019 and brings together community-minded organisations and training providers to support people in County Durham who face multiple obstacles to gaining employment. Part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), the scheme is led by Durham County Council’s Employability Durham service and is delivered in partnership with the local authority’s housing solutions team, Karbon Homes, Livin Housing Ltd and Changing Lives.
More than 150 people are currently receiving assistance through the scheme and, after recruiting two more delivery partners, it is hoped this number will continue to grow.
Northern Learning Trust and Bernicia Homes will join the project next month and are recruiting new members of staff to act as mentors, providing employability support to their tenants in County Durham.
The announcement was made ahead of Employability Day (Friday 26 June), a nationwide campaign to celebrate and promote employment support led by the Employment Related Services Association.
Aimed at fostering a sense of optimism and aspiration for the future, L!NKCD has a heavier focus on the exploration of ideas, training and volunteering than many other employability schemes. It is open to unemployed County Durham residents aged 18 and over and can be especially beneficial for those who do not feel ready for paid employment but are keen to explore the options available to them. One-to-one guidance is offered to identify and address barriers and promote wellbeing, while links are also made with other local organisations that can provide additional support.
Mentoring sessions are usually offered in community venues, but the team has adapted the way they work to ensure they continue to operate during the pandemic. This includes offering support via phone, email, video conferencing technology and social media.
Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “We are delighted Northern Learning Trust and Bernicia Homes are joining us as partners on the L!NKCD scheme. With their experience, we will be able to help even more people in County Durham to overcome barriers, enter the workplace and improve their quality of life. If you think you or someone you know could benefit from the scheme, I would urge you to get in touch and find out more about the support on offer.”
L!NKCD is part funded by ESF as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England.
For more information about the project, visit www.durham.gov.uk/employability or contact the Employability Durham team on employability@durham.gov.uk or search for Employability Durham on Facebook.
