Employment Initiative Launched In Dumfries

Positive skills for employment

HUNDREDS of unemployed and marginalised Dumfries families are set to benefit from the launch of a successful national employment initiative in the town.

Since it was launched in 2012, CAP Job Clubs has grown to a network of 163 across the UK, helping more than 1,000 people into work, many of them long-term unemployed. The initiative currently boasts a 24% success rate, up to seven times more successful than some government-commissioned work schemes.

Now, thanks to volunteers at the River Of Life Church (by the train station, Dumfries) who have undergone training with charity Christians Against Poverty, the town will be able to offer extra support and practical advice to unemployed people.

Job Club Manager, Yasmin Ocansey, who will be leading the course, said: “Knowing many people are out of work – and yet have talents and skills going to waste, we just felt we had to do something and Christians Against Poverty’s training and resources seemed like a really great fit for us.”

She added that all the volunteers have received specialist training from CAP in order to carry out the course and that Dumfries is one of more than 163 towns across the UK that will run a CAP Job Club this year.

Yasmin Ocansey said: “It’s about giving people back their pride. If you have been out of work for any length of time you don’t have a lot of that. Many of the people that attend a CAP Job Club have been alone for a long time and they are tired and frustrated.”

CAP Job Clubs is based on the three Cs: Course, Community and Coaching. The eight-week Course provides those looking for work with skills and abilities, such as CV writing, interview technique and the value of volunteering. This Course runs alongside our supportive peer-to-peer Community, where those looking for work can share their experiences, struggles and advice. In addition, each person is given one-to-one coaching to develop their strengths and identify other opportunities, such as volunteering or a college course.

The club will run weekly starting from the 7th of February, 2017 at 10am at the River of Life Church (next to the train station), Lovers Walk, Dumfries.