A ‘find a job’ day staged in London’s East End—with its traditional high unemployment—was aimed at getting more women into work, especially those facing language barriers.
The event put on by Tower Hamlets Council at Bethnal Green’s Professional Development Centre was “an open door” for the women of the East End to get onto training courses and to meet potential employers.
Work placements were offered and workshops held showing how to put together a CV, giving basic literacy and numeracy assessments and how to get onto training programmes.
Those who turned up for the event are being offered follow-up support based on their needs, with six women having already signed up to be volunteers at Tower Hamlets Idea Stores which could lead to paid jobs in the future.
Another 23 have been invited back for interviews for the Women into Health & Social Care programme, a six-month paid work experience placement with training and qualifications, while 14 were referred to Idea Store Learning for English for speakers of other languages. Others are being helped to fill gaps in their basic IT, English and numeracy.
“Supporting women into training and jobs is a priority for the council,” Cllr Joshua Peck, cabinet member for work, said. “Finding a good job can be difficult, especially where some face barriers such as language and communication skills, or not finding good childcare.
“We are working to break down these barriers that some women face.”
It was one of a series of employment events being run by the local authority to help tackle the East End’s high unemployment levels, especially among women and mothers wanting to return to work. Organisations taking part included Idea Store Learning, Women’s Health & Family Service and Jobcentre Plus.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here