UNEMPLOYED people over the age of 50 have been given a helping hand back into the workplace.
Recycling social enterprise Crest Co-operative in Llandudno Junction, launched the Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) scheme in May. The 12 week placement has led to unemployed Conwy and Denbighshire residents gaining permanent work in warehouse, administration and retail positions. Other job seekers have gained the confidence to start further education courses.
Earlier this year Crest welcomed seven people over the age of 50. The European funded ILM course was hailed as a success after five people gained permanent employment and one person signed up for a further education course.
David Whitworth, 59 from Craig y Don had battled unemployment for two years after he was made redundant from a retail position.
He joined Crest Co-operative’s paid scheme and was given supported training to get back into work. David is now working as a reception host for Working Links in Colwyn Bay.
He said: “Crest has worked wonders for me. At Crest I was shown how to job search and it gave me a routine. The placement built my confidence up and opened up doors for me.
“It is hard to job search when you have no support, but at Crest I was supported and given the push I needed. It was 100 per cent worth joining the scheme.”
Crest recently opened their doors to a second group of four unemployed people over the age of 50. The paid work placements will allow the adults to gain experience in retail, supporting vulnerable people, administration and workshop duties.
Simon Plumpton, vocational trainer at Crest said: “The over 50s have great work ethic and drive. Employers recognised this. Some unemployed people have come to Crest, increased their confidence and then have completely changed their career path.
“It’s great to see them having the confidence to take on a new challenge at this stage of their working lives. We hope to continue to get people over 50 back into work.”