Over 1,000 people have been helped to get their foot on the career ladder by Staffordshire County Council’s Open Door programme.
The programme, which helps prepare people for the world of work by offering them a twelve week work experience placement, was introduced ten years ago provides placements with external organisations and within county council departments depending on the persons preferred area of work. The scheme can help graduates, people with disabilities, ex-offenders, children leaving care, and school leavers.
35 year old Rowena Clifford from Stafford is the 1,000th person to have benefited from the programme. The mum of one, approached the scheme looking for help to change career after being made redundant from her retail job.
Rowena said: “I’m really glad I was able to join Open Door as this has really helped me find my new career while helping improve my quality of life as a mum. Working in retail and being a single parent was tricky because of the hours I had to work – especially having to work at weekends. So when I was made redundant it was a good opportunity to change direction and try to find something that suited me better.
“During my Open Door placement I did three weeks work experience with the county council’s Virtual School team, supporting families with looked after children. Shortly after my placement, and armed with lots of new skills and experience, I was interviewed for an administrative role at Stafford Borough Council and to my surprise I was offered the job. Thanks to Open Door and the hands on admin experience I got, I’m now in a job that I really enjoy, and that fits in well with looking after my son.
Philip White, Cabinet Member for Learning and Employability at Staffordshire County Council said: “Our Open Door scheme is helping hundreds of people get into paid employment and is something we’re incredibly proud of. Not only does the scheme give people valuable work experience in their chosen area of work but also equips them with the skills that employers are looking for. Over the years we’ve been able to help hundreds of people from lots of different backgrounds find work which is not only good for them but is also good for our local economy.
“While on the scheme people get valuable work experience which they can put on their CV, a reference from their manager, as well as access to certain training courses. People also get the opportunity to apply for any internally advertised jobs with the Council.”
26-year-old Paul Rogers from Baswich in Stafford received help from the Open Door programme back in 2012.
Paul said: “I’m very grateful for the support I got from Open Door which helped me get my job with Central England Co-op. I really enjoy my job and all the different things I have to do. The team I work with are very nice and I’m learning more skills and getting more confident each day.“As a person with a disability and being partially deaf finding a job is really difficult, it’s very competitive out there and sometimes even getting an interview is tricky. Also I didn’t have any work experience until I did my Open Door placement, so getting this kind of practical experience which you can tell an employer about is great. I would definitely encourage others looking to get their foot on the career ladder to get in touch with the Open Door scheme.”
For further information on the Open Door Staffordshire scheme please contact Vicky Perry on 01785 854486 or email Vicky.Perry@staffordshire.gov.uk
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