MAKING REDUNDANCY A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE IN DEVON
An Exeter-based training company is helping to ease the shock and upset of redundancy by turning it into a positive life-changing experience.
Westward Training and Personnel (WTP), which operates in Exeter, East Devon, Torbay and South Devon, is delivering the acclaimed Response to Redundancy (R2R) programme with outstanding results. The project, which is supported by the Skills Funding Agency through the European Social Fund, is designed to offer vocational training and job searching for those who have been made redundant or are under threat of redundancy. The result is clients have been able to reskill or upskill to compete effectively in a very competitive recruitment market in which employers are looking for skills to match the needs of their business. WTP has 26 years experience in training and personal development and, since the company started delivering R2R in May 2009, it has helped over 400 clients - with more than 275 of those achieving recognised qualifications and many more continuing to study towards a qualification to help them back to work. WTP works closely with local employers who are either downsizing or closing their operations in Devon. It organises seminars at employer’s premises to deliver the R2R programme and creates strategies to suit each individual concentrating on transferable skills, how to write effective CVs and applications, successful interview techniques and identifying training needs for the staff. Andrea Hemus, from Brixham, said R2R radically eased an experience that was potentially stressful for her whole family. In November 2009 she was told by her employers in Torquay that she and other employees would be made redundant in December. Subsequently WTP made weekly visits to the company to offer R2R training, advice and direction to all those affected. Andrea said: “The R2R programme was very useful. We all worked together, which was so helpful - not only because we could share ideas but because working as a group made it less daunting. WTP’s knowledge and contacts were extremely helpful and reassuring. They knew the right places to go and the agencies to go to.” Andrea completed two IT qualifications and quickly secured a permanent job with Syntech Technologies in Paignton. John Woodrow, from Crediton, had a similar experience to Andrea. He had worked at a company in Exeter for 15 years and news of his redundancy was a complete shock. He said: “There had been redundancies and we thought we’d survived them so when we were told our jobs were going too it came completely out of the blue. It was a harrowing experience.” WTP approached the employers and were invited to deliver the R2R programme and with their backing John successfully passed his forklift truck licence, a health and safety course and an IT course. As a result he secured a temporary job in a warehouse in Crediton, but was so useful he was given a permanent job. “I’d recommend R2R to anybody facing redundancy,” said John. “I had the drive but the programme gave me the direction.” WTP General Business Manager, Sue Bickley, explained that the company also works closely with Jobcentre Plus which refers customers to the R2R programme as soon as they leave their jobs. It also runs regular overviews of the programme at WTP training centres - giving information and guidance to encourage clients to take the opportunity to increase their skills after being made redundant. Alison Thorpe, Account Manager for the Skills Funding Agency said: “R2R is proving a resounding success. Redundancy can have a huge impact on an individual – denting self-esteem as well as delivering a financial blow. The benefits of R2R are two-fold. By helping individuals improve their skills and qualifications, it boosts their self confidence and makes them more employable. It also provides much needed support at a very difficult time.” For more information about the programme, call Sue Bickley at WTP on 01392 412888. Ends 6 August 2010 Photos (by Bernie Pettersen) 008, 012: Andrea Hemus 018: John Woodrow
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