Training into Work: changing lives in our communities

February marked ELBA’s first Training into Work Programme of 2016. Training into Work is a three week programme for jobseekers who are looking to polish their employability skills and gain entry into the working world. During the first week of the programme, candidates receive focussed employability training in specific areas, including CV preparation, mock interviews and feedback, and communication skills for the work place. During weeks two and three, candidates complete a work placement at one of ELBA’s corporate partners, taking on the role of a full-time employee, with support and training along the way. During the February scheme, ELBA worked with candidates from the London Borough of Haringey, and corporate partners Deutsche Bank, Lloyd’s of London and Morgan Stanley.

The February programme has had many success stories, including Cadijato Djalo, on placement as a Logistics Operative at Deutsche Bank, who impressed his manager so much during his placement, that he has since been offered the role on a permanent basis, starting full-time employment in early March. Cadijato is very grateful for his time working with ELBA and Deutsche Bank, commenting:“The two weeks’ training helped to raise my levels of confidence and improved my body language and communication skills. I really appreciate everything ELBA has done for me, particularly Joey and his team!”

Another success story includes Donovan Leslie, on placement as a Porter/Cleaner at Lloyd’s of London, who similarly did an excellent job on placement and was offered employment with an immediate start date on completion of the programme. Donovan learned a lot during his training with ELBA and on placement at Lloyd’s of London, commenting “At first I thought it was going to be hard but with the help of ELBA and the training, it wasn’t hard; it became easier each day. Joseph and the team are excellent. Thanks everybody!”

The feedback from all of our candidates who completed the programme was really positive. Working together with our corporate partners, so many possibilities for local people were, and continue to be, created, changing lives along the way.