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Ceremony marks candidates' triumph over adversity
Moving On graduates Katrina Duffy and Jean Small
The seven participants, some of whom have already secured full-time jobs, met at the Bentley Hotel in Motherwell on Thursday in an emotional celebration of their achievements in reaching the end of the training course, which included the completion of SVQs in Community Development Work.
For all present - Ayse Bak, Katrina Duffy, Joe Eadie, Poppy Gibson, Jean Small, Cheryl Wright and Michelle White - the graduation ceremony offered some well-deserved recognition for their abilities to overcome adversity.
Michelle, who now works as a community animator in Whinhall, Airdrie, said:
"If it wasn’t for Moving On, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have had great support that has not only helped me into employment, but made me believe in myself again."
Moving On, which is backed by Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire and the North Lanarkshire Partnership, is designed to help adults from disadvantaged local areas overcome barriers to work including lone parenting, long-term unemployment and health problems.
Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire’s Niki Spence commented:
"A key element of this project is that it recognises the value of each participant's life experience and knowledge of the issues and barriers faced by individuals returning to education and employment.
If it wasn't for Moving On, I wouldn't be where I am today.
Michelle White, Moving On graduate
This means that local organisations and service providers have the resource of local people working with them, helping to develop their services as well as increasing the confidence of local participants."
Each of the graduates spent 40 weeks in a salaried employability programme as part of their training. However, as well as overcoming their own individual barriers, candidates also dealt with the considerable setback of being made redundant in January when their former One Plus course was suspended.
Fortunately, Employment Enterprise was able to step in by taking over the project and reinstating Moving On by the end of February. Since then, the seven participants have gone from strength to strength and have secured work for companies such as Apex and The Shaw Trust.
One of the graduates, Katrina Duffy from Shotts, has even managed to find work as a tutor for young adults with Employment Enterprise Consultancy.
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