Cornwall Works with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service
“Having seen the whole process - from the initial interview right through to the sign posting day at Bude Fire Station, I have been extremely impressed with the way this Event has been run. I personally cannot remember seeing a more dramatic change in a group of people over such a short space of time. They have all left the course raring to go and intent on completing Work Experience, further training and securing employment. “ Jobcentre Manager
The group worked on a range of activities to promote team work, communication skills, raising aspirations, self esteem and belief. All of this delivered in a fire service setting. Scott Brown, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service
Cornwall Works with Cornwall Fire and Rescue
Jobcentre Plus and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service have teamed up through Cornwall Works to develop a truly unique experience that will fast forward Jobcentre Plus customers towards and into work. The Phoenix Works course runs over 6 days (usually one day per week) and builds confidence, leadership and key employability skills through doing what Fire and Rescue teams do on a daily basis - work as a team, follow instructions, communicate, support each other, think ahead and develop leaders.
Activity takes place in Fire Stations throughout Cornwall. The model, trialed and developed in Cornwall has now been adopted in Devon, through Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
Customers are recruited through group sessions in Jobcentres, attended by members of the Fire and Rescue team who sell their programme directly to the group. Delivery is usually for young people (18-24) but courses have also been run for lone parents, people aged 50+ and families. Delivery is funded through investment from the Jobcentre Plus Flexible Support Fund.
Most people are nervous and apprehensive at the start but by the end were more confident and motivated. Each participant faces emotional and physical challenges.
“I have now completed the Phoenix “Works” Programme and I fell a lot more confident and motivated. I fell I have achieved something because I had to work a lot of the time out of my comfort zone, which prior to attending the course I would definitely have struggled with.” Phoenix Course Customer
The instructor's passion, motivation and communication re-ignited a willingness for me to help people and try things I wouldn't normally have a chance to do. Phoenix Course customer
To view the Cornwall Fire and Rescue web site click here.....
For more information contact dpilling@fire.cornwall.gov.uk.
Group pass out in Truro with Cornwall Fire and Rescue!
Tuesday 27th March saw the culmination of a 6 week Phoenix Works course run by Cornwall Fire and Rescue in Truro and attended by 10 male and female participants referred by Truro Jobcentre Plus.
What did they do?
The group completed their ASDAN (Award Scheme Development Accreditation Network) Improving Own Learning Award - Level 1 and completed a range of activities designed to promote teamwork, communication skills, raise aspirations, self esteem and belief. All of this delivered in a fire service setting including:
- Marching
- Hose Running – 1 & 2 lengths of Hose
- Problem Solving
- Hydrant & Pump Drills
- Learn 2 Live – Road safety presentation
- First Aid
- Fire Safety
- Life-skills (Understanding the group’s needs)
- And much more......!
How did this benefit the participants?
One of the key elements of the course has become the signposting week which follows a week after the pass-out parade. During every individual’s journey there are comments and testimonies relating to increased confidence, self belief, raised self esteem, more motivation, new aspirations and an increased amount of self worth, to name just a few.
However, supporting the participant’s journey by offering links to other agencies and ensuring continued development and progression is crucial to the project and this is achieved in part through the signposting session on the final day.
The session on the 27th March included visits by the Army, Next Step, A4E, Pentreath, and Cornwall College. It was also supported by the employment advisor from Truro JCP with a view to offering work placements/experience for clients with local employers.
Outcomes
The participants have just graduated and already there are some very positive outcomes including:
- All have enrolled with Cornwall College
- Jake applied for a job at Crown Court as a steward.
- Damian signed with A4E and Next Step. He has also applied for job as a car valet.
- Michael signed up with A4E.
- Callum signed up with A4E & Next Step.
- Ross signed up with Next Step & A4E.
- Kiefer signed up with A4E.
- Alex secured full time employment with Epiphany House which starts in April. He then also starts work as an outdoor pursuit instructor for Cornwall Outdoor Pursuits, this starts at the end of April.
- Beverley signed with Pentreath and is hopefully going on to secure work experience with the JCP.
CFRS have delivered to nearly 120 people from JCP’s across Cornwall during a 7 month period.
Ladies go from strength to strength in Liskeard
Scott Brown, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service
On the morning of the 20th October, 9 willing but very anxious ladies were greeted at Liskeard Fire Station to begin their 6 week course with the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service’s Phoenix Team (CFRS).
Over the coming weeks the group of mixed ages worked towards their ASDAN (Award Scheme Development Accreditation Network) Improving Own Learning Award - Level 1 and on a range of activities designed to promote teamwork, communications skills, raising aspirations, self esteem and belief. All of this delivered in a fire service setting including:
- Marching
- Hose Running – 1 & 2 lengths of Hose
- Problem Solving
- Hydrant & Pump Drills
- Learn 2 Live – Road safety presentation
- First Aid
- Fire Safety
- Life-skills (Understanding the group’s needs)
- And much more......!
Challenges were both mental and physical with the group often working outside their comfort zone and some having never worked in a team environment before.
Finalising the ASDAN qualification
In week 5 the participants carried out a Powerpoint presentation and open question and answer session with a group of local agencies, employers and friends and family. This completed the practical elements of the course and finalised the ASDAN qualification.
Signposting session
The 6th week comprised a signposting session involving big local employers such as Tesco, Ginsters and Kernow Mill as well as local agencies including A4E, Cornwall College, Next Step, CAB and Volunteer Cornwall. The day covered critical skills such as CV preparation, job interview questions and self evaluation ‘what’s stopping me get to work?’.
Outcomes
The group have moved on in so many ways, gaining a qualification, confidence and employability skills. 3 of the group are now working in placements with Kernow Mill. The group have also benefited from building relationships through Jobcentre Plus and the employment advisor enabling on-going support and meaningful progressions for the participants.
Lara, now working in the hampers department at Kernow Mill comments “It’s scary but nice to be at work. I love the customers and this opportunity has given me a new focus and belief that I can achieve. I feel so much better about myself and if all goes well I will start permanently in February and continue to work 30 hours per week.”
On the 20th October 2011 CFRS started this fourth Jobcentre Plus course through Flexible Support Funding.
Jonathan is re-ignited with Cornwall Fire and Rescue
My name in Jonathan Clark, I am 31 years old and married with 2 boys. I have been living in Bude for 14 years. I have been unemployed for 2 years and have lost count of the job applications I have completed.
My employment advisor at the job centre told me about the Phoenix course with the fire station and after meeting up with the Fire Service I felt excited and apprehensive and was unsure how it would help me especially as I was so down on myself being unemployed.
From day one I started looking forward to it and found it helped and inspired me to get off my backside each day. The instructor's passion, motivation and communication re-ignited a willingness for me to help people and try new things.
How did this help?
I now feel more confident and able to speak out in a group, prior to the course there is no way I would stand up in front of an audience and speak. I have now signed up with A4E to improve my maths and english which will help my chances of getting back into employment.
I would recommend this course to others as it gets you out of the house, increases motivation, confidence and communication skills. It also gives you the chance to mix with a variety of people you would not normally have the opportunity to work with.
Wage incentive for young disabled people announced!
A new wage incentive scheme to encourage employers to give young disabled people further work opportunities is being announced today by the Minister for Disabled People.
A payment of up to £2,275 will be made available for employers who recruit young disabled people through Work Choice – a specialist disability employment programme that provides tailored support to help disabled people who have the most complex support needs.
This extra support for young disabled people will sit alongside the recently launched Youth Contract, which is already boosting the employment prospects of this country’s young jobseekers.
Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller said:
“In a tough economic climate, addressing youth unemployment is a key priority for this Government. Through this wage incentive we are encouraging employers to hire more young disabled people by providing some money ourselves.
“By creating a partnership between Government and the employer, it will give more young disabled people the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in the workplace, so that the employer will keep that young person on beyond the six months of the subsidy.”
The new wage incentive will be made available in July. View the DWP website here.....
