Redundancy Support Roadshow moves to Brownhills
Date Published : 03 July 2009
People who fear losing their jobs and those who have been made redundant are being offered help through Walsall Council’s Redundancy Support Roadshow which is coming to Brownhills.
The latest event is being held at the Park View Centre in Chester Road North, on Saturday 4 July 2009 from 10am - 1pm.
Walsall Council is working in partnership with Walsall Housing Group, Black Country Enterprise, Walsall Libraries, Jobcentre Plus, Walsall Citizens Advice Bureau, Walsall College, Unity the Union, Walsall Endeavours, Nextstep, Business Link, Steps to Work and Breathing Space to stage the initiative.
Brownhills has been selected as the next venue for the event as the area, and neighbouring districts, have seen a number of firms fold during the national economic downturn.
The roadshow offers advice on benefits, pensions, writing CVs, interview techniques and re-training opportunities and has been developed using the real-life experience of someone who lost their job and knows first hand the most relevant support needed.
Events have previously been run in Beechdale and Walsall and the feedback has been extremely positive. Comments have included “I’ve found out more in an hour here than I’ve found out since I was made redundant last October,” and “After 17 years as an HGV driver I am looking at re-training as a plumber. Now I know the next steps to take.”
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We know from the feedback given at the last roadshow that one of the most important factors of an event like this is that people want someone to listen to them.
“Residents who are out of work or who are worried about losing their jobs want the opportunity to talk about all the things they, and their families, are concerned about and be given practical advice that will actually help them cope better.
“But just as important as the practical support and information is the work that is done to help people to regain their confidence and realise, in many cases, that they have a host of skills that can be used in a different environment.”
Representatives will be available who specialise in pre-redundancy assistance, pensions and benefits advice, provisions for self-employment, career guidance, CV preparation, job search facilities, interview, techniques, further education and re-training and business support.
For further information contact Walsall Council’s regeneration team on telephone 01922 652587.
Regular Support Into Jobs events are also run across the borough which have been attended by hundreds of people.
Walsall Council supports the West Midlands Taskforce set up by Advantage West Midlands to address the impact of the current economic downturn so that more effective support can be provided to the businesses, individuals and communities that are being affected.