LOCAL RESIDENTS HONOURED FOR WORKING ACHIEVEMENTS AT AWARDS DINNER
Several North Lanarkshire residents have been rewarded for their efforts in overcoming significant barriers to progress in the workplace.
Sharon Marshall, Laura Gordan, Alexander McGavin, Helen McGregor, Victoria Penman and Roseanne Bell, from Wishaw, Stephanie Sinclair of Coatbridge and Vicki Docherty of Bellshill were all presented with their North Lanarkshire’s Working Outstanding Achievement Awards at a ceremony on Thursday (11th June).
The six winners were among 19 people to receive awards at the ceremony after overcoming significant personal barriers to successfully enter the workplace, training or education.
They were presented with their awards by Maureen McConachie, Head of Regeneration Services at North Lanarkshire Council and Robin Turner, General Manager of Routes to Work, a North Lanarkshire’s Working partner, at the event held in Airdrie’sTudor Hotel.
Maureen McConachie commented: “We are delighted to be celebrating the achievements of those that recieved awards today as well as the many others who have found work, education or training through the intiiative.
“All those who picked up awards have had to overcome great barriers to do so and it’s a testament to the hard work of everyone involved that they have been able to make the journey towards a new career, especially against the backdrop of a harsh economic environment.
“We hope that today’s event will help to inspire others to make a great change in their lives by signing up to an initiative that can help them find both the skills and the confidence they need to get into the workplace.”
North Lanarkshire’s Working was established in April 2008 with the aim of supporting 2000 people most in need back into employment by 2010. The project, which is supported by European funding, aimed at fostering economic growth, offers a comprehensive package of support to help residents into employment – lone parents, young people, people on Incapacity Benefit and the long-term unemployed. So far, over 1,000 people have found work through the initiative.The North Lanarkshire’s Working partnership is made up of key partners led by North Lanarkshire Council and includes, Routes to Work Ltd, Motherwell, Cumbernauld and Coatbridge Colleges, North Lanarkshire Volunteer Centre, NHS Lanarkshire and Clyde Valley Housing Association.
A key element of the project is the fact that participants receive one-to-one support from dedicated key workers and that this support continues even after they are in training or employment. The project also works closely with local employers to identify opportunities and to work with employers to support people into these positions.
Car repair is generally seen as a male-dominated industry, but a young woman from Newarthill is set to break into the trade thanks to North Lanarkshire’s Working. 
