Wednesday 28 March 2012

Knowsley Engagement Co-Operative



The Knowsley Engagement Co-Operative (KEC) is made up of various employability organisations working together to help unemployed Knowsley residents into work, training or self-employment.


Originally set up in September 2010 the Co-Operative brought together some of the main organisations working in the Knowsley area to help unemployed people into work, training or self-employment in order to give residents the best possible service, and access to specialist support in order to help the achieve their goals.


Over the past couple of years the Co-Operative has grown and now includes various organisations operating in the Knowsley area dealing with employability. These include Jobcentre Plus, Knowsley Community College, Knowsley Works, Knowsley Housing Trust, Elect, The Women's Organisation, Knowsley Face, The Princes Trust, Sysco Training, Rathbone Training, Knowsley Homestart, Knowsley Council For Voluntary Service, Next Step, Shaw Trust, School Gates Initiative & Progress 2 Work.


These organisations share knowledge so that residents can be referred to the right organisation, plan engagement activity to make people aware of the services available in their area, and support activity ongoing in the borough.


We have now taken over this School Gates Knowsley Blog so we can provide you with information about activities our organisations are involved in and keep you up to date on what is happening in the Knowsley area. 


We have also taken over the School Gates Facebook & Twitter Pages where you can also keep up to date on all the latest information so you can now find us and follow us at:-


On Facebook:


http://facebook.com/thekec

On Twitter:
http://twitter.com/the_kec

If you want to find out more about the Knowsley Engagement Co-Operative or the organisations involved please call Gary on 07770 966 612 or (0151) 801 8719

The Times They Are A-Changing...



There are some changes coming to the School Gates Initiative from the end of March 2012. After 2 successful years the School Gates service will coming to an end as it previously operated. 


However, this will not be the complete end of the outreach service, as Jobcentre Plus, one of the original partners of the School Gates Project, will still be able to offer an Outreach Service to unemployed parents in the Kirkby area, at local Schools & Children's Centres, on a Wednesday.


The School Gates Initiative was originally set up in 2010 to provide support to parents who were looking to move into work, training or self-employment. The Initiative operated throughout the country to provide parents with the support they need in an environment they can easily access, such as a School or Children's Centre.


In Knowsley the project was set up to work in Kirkby initially, particularly in the Northwood & Tower Hill area, with  an experienced adviser and partnership network providing support to help parents reach their goals including:-


• Help with Job Search
• Help completing application forms
• Help producing a CV
• Help with interview skills
• Help looking for suitable training
• Personal Development & Confidence Building
• Benefit Advice
• Signposting to other service needed, such as Debt Advice or Carers
services
• Links to other support organisations
• & MUCH MORE


The new Outreach Service provided by Kirkby Jobcentre Plus will still offer all of this support and the Outreach Adviser can come to see parents in schools or Children’s Centres to speak to speak in an informal and relaxed environment in a location convenient to the parent.


Above all the service is CONFIDENTIAL – we do not disclose what is discussed in our appointment with any other organisations without your express permission


To find out how the Outreach Adviser can help you, or to book an appointment with the Adviser you can call Gary on 07770 966 612 or (0151) 801 8719

Friday 23 March 2012

Jobs Cafe Closing


Unfortunately, due to a change of contract with one of the organisations involved in the Jobs Café at KUC, after Friday 23rd March 2012 we will no longer be able to offer this service.

Over the past 2 years the Jobs Café has supported hundreds of people with CV’s, completing application forms, Job search, Looking for training, and any other advice & guidance they needed. We would like to thank everybody who has supported the Jobs Café including all of the advisers who have given their time, and all of the people who have come to make use of the service.

There are other Work Clubs operating throughout the Knowsley Area that offer a similar service. Call into your local Jobcentre Plus office or call 0845 604 3719 to find out where your nearest Work club is and how they can help you.