Bursary boost for job seekers
Three Incommunities’ tenants are celebrating securing bursary awards towards their ambitions to get back into work.
They have each been awarded £300 from the Unlocking Success Bursary Scheme, run by the Northern Housing Consortium Charitable Trust. The funding aims to encourage housing tenants to take up learning opportunities.
The tenants were helped through the application process by Incommunities’ employability workers.
Kerry Dunn attends a weekly free class run by the housing group to help people develop their maths and English skills and was encouraged to try for the bursary by Incommunities’ vocational skills tutor, Nicki Woods. She is hoping to start an Access course at Bradford College as a route back into work.
A delighted Kerry said the money will go towards her college training and her first steps towards becoming a midwife.
The two further successful applicants are Lisa Murray and Amanda Feather who are using their bursaries to buy laptops and learning material to help them successfully complete distance learning courses.
Mum of two children Lisa from Bradford, wants to work in mental health. She is currently studying for a Level 2 Care qualification online and eventually wants to go to Open University and higher education.
Lisa said: "I didn’t imagine going back into education but I want to better myself and create a good life for my children and improve my chances of working in mental health.
"Receiving this bursary will help my studies and hopefully lead me into a career where I can give something back and help others."
Amanda has a talent for making homemade beauty products and is keen to get back into work but needs to build her business skills. She is planning to start a distance learning course soon.
Nicki Woods from Incommunities’ Employability Team said: "We are really excited to see Kerry, Amanda and Lisa secure these bursaries. They are each keen to invest in the right training to realise their career ambitions and are determined to make that next step into work.
"Achieving these bursaries will help them enhance their skill level and improve their lives."
To find out more about the free advice and support available to help local job seekers access learning and work contact the Bradford Employment Hub on 01274 257788 or email employment.hub@incommunities.co.uk
The Employment Hub is part funded by the European Social Fund and is supported by Bradford Council.