Jobseekers across Nottingham can pick up valuable advice, update their CV and get their job search heading in the right direction during ‘Ready for Work Week’ hosted by Nottingham City Libraries this month.
The first Ready for Work Week is running from 14 November with support from a dozen partner organisations. Anyone of any age who is looking for work is welcome to book on to a workshop or call in to visit an information stall.
Qualified employment advisers will offer a range of advice include writing a CV, updating skills, and looking and applying for jobs online. There will be a specialist session for parents who want to get back into work, and a mental resilience workshop with Courtney Smith from Sherwood, author of ‘The Wonderful You,’ with tips on overcoming setbacks. More details of the week’s activities are available on https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/libraries/ready-for-work-week/
Ready for Work Week is also an opportunity to highlight free support available all year round. City libraries have a successful track record in helping people into work, with weekly Work Clubs held at 11 libraries throughout the year. In the last financial year, more than 170 people found work having attended a library Work Club.
Amongst them is 62-year-old Christine Townsend, who benefited from attending the Work Club at St Ann’s Valley Centre Library. “I was confused until I attended the Work Club and spoke with the adviser there,” she said.
Christine had completed a computer course but didn’t know how to use her knowledge to search for a job, and had no internet access at home. So over time, and with support from the library Work Club, she gained the skills to apply online, complete online interviews, send emails and attach her CV. As a result she initially secured seasonal work and now has a permanent retail job.
Councillor Dave Trimble, Nottingham City Council Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “Libraries are a rich source of information and support at the heart of the local community and have an important role to play in helping people to find work. Free computer use and free WiFi are offered at all City libraries and these are invaluable for people searching for jobs and for completing online applications.
“The partner organisations we work with all have excellent specialist skills and local knowledge and can give one-to-one guidance on finding work.”
One of these organisations is Groundwork Greater Nottingham. Employment Manager Steve Burch said: “We have been working in partnership with the library service for over a year now, running Work Clubs in both Aspley and Bilborough libraries, funded through area-based grants. The library staff are very supportive, referring people to our services and supporting them with accessing IT. The free computer access available to library members is a great help to unemployed people applying for jobs online.”
The Work Clubs enable Groundwork to recruit for their Step into Work Programme for 18 to 29-year-olds, and also to help older jobseekers. Success stories with over 50s include Oksana from Aspley, who was made redundant after a career in customer service. After receiving motivational support from the Work Club at Aspley she successfully applied for a post with HM Revenue and Customs. Elizabeth from Bilborough was supported to construct a CV and apply for jobs, and secured work as a laundry assistant at a care home.
Partners in Ready for Work Week are: Belong, The Bestwood Partnership, Castle Cavendish, City College Nottingham, Futures, Groundwork Greater Nottingham, Meadows Partnership Trust, NG7, Nottingham Jobs, The Prince’s Trust, The Renewal Trust and Right Track.