Press Release

CHARLTON ATHLETIC AND SHAW TRUST LAUNCH A WINNING TEAM

David Lammy said: "DIUS is the Department that champions innovation. And this is a fantastic example of innovation. It shows how you can bring fresh thinking and approaches to solving a long-standing challenge.

"The A1 assessor's programme is bringing together partners from across the public and private sectors, and the third sector, to help people - people who might otherwise miss out - to develop their skills and find work in a sector which needs more skilled people. 

"And it could not have come at a better time.  The 2012 Olympic Games should offer a wide range of opportunities to skilled people and initiatives such as this will put people in a stronger position to compete for those opportunities and to progress even further."

The first two projects both launch at the October 23 match and Charlton will be hosting information days and providing match ticket and meet the player incentives.

An LSC-funded pilot will work with 200 people and train up 25 A1 assessors, who are a crucial part of the construction training process and of which there is a national shortage.

The LSC is investing £250,000 this year to provide career pathways for people on incapacity, disability or health benefit to become trained construction assessors, enabling them to take a major step towards sustainable employment. This is part of a wider commitment by the LSC to expand the range and quality of work-based learning across London to meet the challenges the Capital faces in hosting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Harvey Redgrave, the LSC's Director of Economic Development for the Olympics said: "We are delighted to be co-funding this excellent project, which will equip people who are not currently in full time education, training or employment with new skills and provide them with the opportunity to gain full time work in the construction sector. Our aim is to use the Olympics and Paralympics as an opportunity to raise skills levels and aspirations across London. A key demand is for more people to be trained as construction assessors."   

The second project is a JobCentre Plus and Skillsgain-funded Waste Management programme that will give 100 people bespoke training as a route into construction. Logistics company Clipfine has ring-fenced 20 jobs for applicants.

"In both projects we would hope to route those who don't get direct jobs into other areas of construction, using our partners," explained Shaw Trust Employment Engagement Manager Liz Obertelli who has masterminded the initiative, supported by Laing O'Rourke's Head of Corporate Responsibility in Scotland Jim Gaffney, UCATT National Education and Training Officer Jeff Hopewell and electrician and electrical training provider Bob Noseda.

"We will also be using the A1 Assessors pilot to illustrate the wealth of skills out there among IB claimants currently blocked by the five year reference requirements. We are pressing for other route-ways to tap into a vast pool of trade expertise."

Both Shaw Trust and Charlton Athletic say the two projects will be the launch pad for a mighty London-wide and then UK-wide benefits to work drive. "We are able to use our skills to support people into whatever industry needs workers," pointed out Ian Charlesworth.

"The potential is immense," said Steve Waggott, who is to promote the winning partnership to other football clubs.

"There are 92 clubs in England, 60 in Scotland, 50 in Wales and 40 in Ireland, all with their own community programmes and direct access to, and an iconic status in, their communities. The opportunity to expand is real and we're going to do it, if these initials initiatives are successful."

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