A service which helps unemployed people in North Lanarkshire into employment, education or training has received a prestigious award for its success in stimulating the local economy.
Routes to Work, is an arms length company of North Lanarkshire Council. It delivers across all areas of North Lanarkshire and has been honoured as part of the council’s corporate awards scheme for 2008.
The awards scheme recognises council projects and initiatives which best contribute to council priority areas such as lifelong learning and social inclusion.
Routes to Work received the Stimulating Business and the Economy Award in recognition of its success in supporting unemployed residents back into work, training or education.
The company is a key partner in the North Lanarkshire’s Working initiative, which has secured funding of £19m to support 2000 people into employment by 2010.
The presentation took place on 15th October 2008 as part of the corporate awards ceremony and was presented by Provost Tom Curley and Depute Leader Jim Smith to Routes to Work Team Leader Denise Clark Martin and key workers Marie Mulvey and Jane Sorley.
“RTW are delighted to win North Lanarkshire Council’s Corporate Award in the “Stimulating Business and the Economy” category as it recognises the hard work and dedication of our staff over the last six years in helping to deliver a high quality, respected and client focused service to individuals and local employers.”Routes to Work Ltd was formed in 2002 to support unemployed people back into employment and training through flexible, tailored support at a community level.
The company has grown considerably in the past six years providing support to 6991 unemployed people, helping 2518 into employment and many more into training and further education.
During this period the company has helped 200 local businesses with their recruitment and employment needs.
Specialising in providing one to one advice to people who have never worked or have been out of the job market for some time. Key workers help people get the right help such as childcare, support with health problems, money advice and learning and training opportunities.
The company is a key partner in the recently launched North Lanarkshire’s Working initiative – a pioneering new service which aims to get 2000 people into employment by 2010 and help more than 3000 people gain an accredited qualification.
Maureen McConachie, Head of Regeneration Services at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “North Lanarkshire’s Working links service providers more closely than ever before and will deliver new support, advice, interventions and infrastructure to help people in the region back to work and ultimately improve their quality of life.
“Routes to Work plays a vital role in this partnership, with a highly successful track record when it comes to tackling some of the barriers which have traditionally prevented people from entering the job market.
“By increasing employability and reducing benefit dependency of some of the most disadvantaged communities and individuals, we can break the cycle of worklessness and deprivation and to support the regeneration of North Lanarkshire.”
North Lanarkshire Council’s Corporate Awards scheme recognises council projects and initiatives which best contribute to the achievement of the council’s corporate priorities. The scheme was introduced to promote corporate priorities throughout the council, to encourage working between departments and to recognise employees' success.
To find out more about job opportunities and training through North Lanarkshire's Working call 0800 0730 226.
