Port of Leith Housing Association’s (POLHA) TOiL Programme (Training Opportunities in Lothian) has supported 35 young people from across Edinburgh and East Lothian to complete an 18 week training programme with an local employer with 21 progressing to employment, apprenticeship or further education following their training. Continue reading Another terrific year for TOiL
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Volunteers from PoLCAT and Mitie Painting, the UK’s largest painting contractor, pitched in to help repaint the hall. They included Mitie’s famous mascot Mitie Mouse, office staff, foreman painter and a new apprentice who had successfully completed Port of Leith’s TOiL trainee programme. Continue reading Playing cat and mouse to support community project!
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Thirty three young people from across Edinburgh have just completed an 18 week training programme – and 18 of them have gone straight into employment, apprenticeship or further education following their training! Continue reading Honest TOIL!
Young people graduate from PoLHA training programme
Thirty five young people from across Edinburgh have completed an 18 week training programme, with 23 going straight into employment following their training. The young people join almost 500 who have graduated from Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) training programme Training Opportunities in Lothian (TOiL).
Among those to graduate at an event at the City Chambers last night (25 Nov) was Magdalena Susfal who said: “I gained a lot of admin skills and got a feel for how it is to work in an office environment. The training was very useful and I enjoyed it. The Excel training was very good and the interview preparation before my Modern Apprenticeship interview helped me get the job.”
The young people were presented with their certificates by co-founder of Social Bite, Alice Thompson, at the ceremony attended by employers, stakeholders of the programme, young people and proud friends and family members.
Alice Thompson said: “The jobs market can be difficult for young people to get in to, but given they are the lifeblood of the economy it’s imperative they are given opportunities. I want to congratulate them on their achievements as they are now on the path to bigger and better things.”
Another trainee graduating was Reece Hunt, 17, who has gone on to work as an electrician with Bemco.
Reece said: “I most enjoyed getting to know new people. It was hands on work which is what I like. I found the training informative and it was very relevant to our age group. The delivery made it interesting.”
Other trainees graduating on November 25 were Matthew Mackie, Chris Singh, Jake Summers, David Reilly, Alex Pennykid, Nathan Moyes, Alex Main, Garry Mitchell, Jordan Bald and Lewis Ewen.
PoLHA’s TOiL programme has been running for eight years and 68 per cent of participants move into sustainable employment, apprenticeships or further education after the six-month placement.
PoLHA Chair Margaret O’Connor, who presided over the graduation’s proceedings said: “TOiL provides valuable work opportunities to young people in Edinburgh with a variety of valued partner organisations. Our trainees have access to support and a holistic approach is used supporting those that need it most.”
The Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Justice has congratulated six young people who have completed an 18 week work placement programme.
Kenny MacAskill MSP (Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Justice) handed out completion certificates to the Training Opportunities in Lothian (TOiL) graduates at a ceremony held at the City Chambers on Monday (9 December).
He said: “I congratulate all the young people for completing this TOiL programme and TOiL and Port of Leith Housing Association for contributing to their success.
“We have made a commitment that every school leaver under the age of 19 will be offered the opportunity of a place in meaningful learning or training. One way we are meeting this commitment is through the creation of 25,000 Modern Apprenticeships each year along with £25 million Youth Employment Scotland funding to support 10,000 young people into employment.
“As the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, I am particularly aware of the importance of such opportunities in providing positive futures for young people and their communities. I wish these young people well as they take the next step towards their future career.”
TOiL offers paid six-month work training and placements. Operated by Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA), the programme was established in 2004 and since then has helped almost 450 young people aged 16 to 24 into work and training.
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive at PoLHA, said: “We are very grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice for attending our ceremony. Young people are the lifeblood of the economy and it’s imperative there are projects, such as the this, to give them the required skills to get on the career ladder.”
One of those graduating was 18 year old Ben Hughes of Drumbrae. Ben has secured permanent employment as a direct result of the programme with J. Smart’s builders on completion of an 18 week placement with the firm. He said: “I really enjoyed the TOiL programme and the courses were great. I now have a job I love.”
Also graduating on the day were Michael Bryce, Connor Kerr, Mac Cruikshank, Danielle McGill and Lauren Edwards.
John Murray, who manages TOiL, said: “Congratulations to all the young people who have graduated and we look forward to continuing to support them as they progress in their early careers.”
As well as the young people graduating, the ceremony also honoured those involved in TOiL and there were awards for Partner Organisation of the Year which went to RTL, Award of Recognition for Good practice which went to Lothian Gas and Employer of the Year which went to CCG (Scotland) respectively.
If you are a young jobseeker or employer interested in learning more about the TOiL programme, call 554 0403.
Scotland’s Minister for Youth Employment has congratulated nine young people who have completed a six-month work placement programme. Angela Constance MSP handed out completion certificates to the Training Opportunities in Lothian (TOiL) graduates at a ceremony held at Edinburgh City Council Chambers yesterday.
Ms Constance said: “Congratulations to the young people graduating today, the latest in a line of young people in the Lothians who have benefitted from the support of the TOiL project in getting started in their careers. I believe that our young people are the best and seeing success like this today is why we are providing funding for projects like TOiL through our Get Ready for Work programme, right across Scotland.”
TOiL offers paid six-month work training and placements. Operated by Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA), the programme was established in 2004 and since then has helped over 400 young people aged 16 to 24 into work and training.
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive at PoLHA, said: “We are very grateful to the Minister for attending our ceremony. Youth unemployment is a major issue and it is imperative that projects such as this continue to deliver real results in helping young people develop their skills to get on that first step of the career ladder.”
One of those graduating was 21-year-old Charlotte Cameron, who has secured permanent employment as a direct result of the programme with the City of Edinburgh Council in its Criminal Justice Department. Charlotte said: “The TOiL programme was really good and the courses were great. I now have a job I love.”
Also graduating on the day were Sean Fernie, 16, who was a heating engineer with TB McKay; Patrick McDermott, 17, who was a painter and joiner with Seddon’s; Lauren Campbell, 18, who was a Finance Assistant with PoLHA; Darren Holland, 18, who was a cleaning assistant with ISS; Ryan Walker, 17, who was an electrician and joiner with Castlerock; Jamie Tubby, 16, was a painter and decorator with Mitie; Aaron Blues, 18, was a lift engineer with Clyde Valley Lifts; and Ryan Sutherland, 16, was a painter with Seddon’s.
John Murray, who manages the TOiL programme, said: “Congratulations to all the young people who have graduated and we look forward to continuing to support them as they progress in their early careers.”
As well as the young people graduating, the ceremony also honoured those involved in TOiL and there were awards for Partner Organisation of the Year, Employer of the Year and Best New Employer of the Year. Lorraine Borwick, of Community Learning and Development – named Partner Organisation of the Year -, said: “TOiL ensures that young people’s employability goals are central to the planning process and that sessions are engaging and relevant. The partnership works really well as we work closely to plan and develop literacy and numeracy sessions for young people.”
Angela Constance MSP added: “We are committed to improving the employability of all Scotland’s young people and have guaranteed every 16-19-year-old a place in education or training through Opportunities for All. I will continue to work with employers, local authorities and third sector partners to secure the best opportunities for all our young people.”
If you are a young jobseeker or employer interested in learning more about the TOiL programme, contact 0131 554 0403.
