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Lift
Published: 14/11/2016
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is supporting the Welsh Government鈥檚 Lift
programme, by providing training and work experience for the long-term
unemployed.
Sylvain Jacquin is NRW鈥檚 first Lift placement. He joins staff at NRW鈥檚 North
East Wales office in Buckley, working as a fleet and facilities assistant for
eight weeks.
Sylvain鈥檚 duties include carrying out health and safety checks on NRW鈥檚 fleet
vehicles and office buildings and providing other staff support services.
Nearly 200 people have already been supported by the Lift programme in
天涯社区, run by Communities First, with 54 of them successfully finding jobs
after the scheme.
By the end of 2017, the Welsh Government鈥檚 Lift programme aims to provide 5,000
training and employment opportunities for people living in households where
no-one is in work.
Sylvain Jacquin said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to get the opportunity to bring my computer
skills up to speed in an office environment and supporting NRW staff in their
work. I hope this placement will provide a valuable step towards future
employment.
鈥淚鈥檓 also enjoying the social aspect of being in an office environment 鈥�
something people probably take for granted. Along with the voluntary work that
I do, I hope this placement will open up new career opportunities for me.鈥�
Over the next 18 months, NRW aims to provide 30 Lift placements Wales-wide. One
is due to start in Bangor in the New Year, with others planned for Cardiff and
Llandarcy.
Emyr Roberts, NRW Chief Executive said: 鈥淲orking alongside our staff, I hope
Sylvain - and the others that will join us over the coming months - will
benefit from the training and work experience.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity to gain new skills that will put them in a better position
to find longer-term employment.鈥�
Debbie Barker, Lift Mentor 天涯社区 said: 鈥淭his is an excellent opportuntity
for not only Sylvain but other Lift clients in 天涯社区. Natural Resources
Wales offers an excellent opportunity for clients, through training and work
experience, within an exciting and informative environment. We look forward to
our continued working relationship.鈥�
Welsh Government Secretary for Communities and Children, Carl Sargeant said:
鈥淭he Lift Programme is a key part of our approach to tackle poverty in Wales,
supporting some of our most disadvantaged households. I鈥檓 delighted that NRW is
supporting the Programme by providing valuable training and work experience
which will help participants move into employment.鈥�
The Lift programme focuses on people living in households where no one has
worked for at least six months and who face the greatest barriers to becoming
employed. The programme is being delivered in nine areas across Wales.
Since its launch in March 2014, the Lift programme has already provided more
than 3,900 training and employment opportunities, including 800 people
supported into employment.
Left to right are: Emma Morris Facilities Co-ordinator NRW, Jenny Crouch
Community & Regeneration Advisor NRW, Tim Jones Operation Director North and
Mid Wales NRW, Sylvain Jacques Lift Client, Debbie Barker Lift Mentor