Life-changing employability opportunities are available through Council's Equal Programme
Posted on 5 Mar 2024
People with long-term health conditions and disabilities are invited to discover what a specialist employability service can do to help brighten up their future.
The Equal Programme is a supported employment service that guides people across North Ayrshire into work and training.
It comes under the banner of North Ayrshire Council’s employability service’s Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme.
And it offers a wide range of tailored support to get people back into work, start work for the first time or take a step up the career ladder.
Linda Ford, Programme Manager at Equal, explained: “Here at Equal, our goal is to support people through personal development, activities, training, further education, volunteering and employment.
“We would love to hear from people, regardless of their circumstances, who may not be sure what opportunities are out there for them, which training they can do or which jobs are available.
“There is a whole host of opportunities - and experiences - available, and it is our job to match people with the right employer or trainer.”
Cameron Taylor is a former Equal client who is now in a placement with global IT services firm DXC Technology in Erskine, Renfrewshire.
Cameron is autistic and, despite having an HND in Technical Support, he struggled to see where his working future lay when he joined Equal in 2021.
Linda’s team helped him improve his interview skills and secure voluntary work with Ayrshire computer recycling charity Input. He also joined Equal’s chess and board games groups to gain confidence, and is now enjoying life at DXC as an apprentice.
Cameron explained: “I am a lot more confident now than I was before I went through Equal. A big part of it was getting help with my interview skills – I don’t think I would have managed to make it through an interview without this.
“I would encourage anyone needing support to contact them because you will get a warm welcome … and great support.”
Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy, added: “There is a lot of support available through the Council’s employability teams.
“I would encourage people who have a disability or long-term health condition to take that first step into work or training by finding out how Equal can support them – and help change their lives.”
Sheina McNocher, DXC Technology Operations Lead, has worked closely with Cameron as he works towards a qualification in Microsoft’s Azure Cloud platform.
She said: “He is doing a great job. Most of the apprentices, like Cameron, want to move into cloud or cyber security roles, and we encourage them to seek employment within DXC when they complete their apprenticeships.”
The Equal team can also help employers create an environment where a person with disabilities can work effectively. For further information on all Equal services, please email supportedemployment@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
North Ayrshire Council’s Employability Service delivers a range of support through its Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme.
Contracted partners delivering Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire include We Work for Families and CEIS Ayrshire, who all contribute to delivering a wide range of support to help individuals prepare and progress into employment.
To access any of the opportunities delivered by North Ayrshire Council’s Employability Service Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire please email employability@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
You can also find out how the team at our Employability Hub can help you with everything from CVs and application forms to college courses and interview techniques here: https://tinyurl.com/4wvvzubd