Tailor made training for volunteers

Our Employment Support Team now offer specialist training to volunteers to get them into work.

The two day training package includes accredited courses such as health & safety, equality & diversity and personal safety in the workplace.

Work Placement Co-ordinator, Scott Stalgis hopes the package will give local volunteers the skills and knowledge they need to boost their CV and get into employment.

He said: “On average our team work with 30-40 volunteers at any one time and we’re one of the only services in North Lincolnshire to provide this much support, which makes us very proud.

“All of our volunteers will go through the training, and once completed, they’ll receive a booklet with certificates, a full reference and up to date CV.

“The training is tailored to each individual, depending on their needs. So far, we’ve put nine people through it, and we have another fully booked course in December.”

From April 2016 to April 2017, the team helped 150 people back into work, and by helping volunteers to be work ready, they’re hoping to increase these numbers further.

Andy Taylor, an Ongo volunteer said: “I first became a volunteer after my Employment Support Coach put me forward, and I’ve now been a volunteer on the Bike Project for seven months.

“Before volunteering, I suffered with severe anxiety, and was sometimes unable to make it out the door, but the project has helped me to meet new people and gain more confidence. Although I still struggle sometimes, I’ve learnt to deal with it better and am hoping it’ll keep improving.

“The training I’ve received has been amazing, and it’s given me the skills I need to hopefully get into work. The next stage for me is becoming a Volunteer Supervisor on the Bike Project, which will give me more responsibility and then I hope to go on and become a Tanker Driver.

“I’d like to thank the team for all their help and for supporting me to move forward.”

If you think your business could benefit from taking a volunteer on, or if you’d like to become a volunteer get in touch with the team today on 01724 844848.