Ready for Work with John Lewis Aberdeen

As a leading business in the community, John Lewis Aberdeen were delighted to host a training session for the 'Ready for Work' campaign.

The campaign was successfully piloted in Scotland in 2004 and one of it's key aims was to change companies perceptions of homeless people and to demonstrate that businesses can play a key role in helping people facing barriers in employment.

'Ready for Work' offers stepping stones into employment with support and guidance. It aims to equip excluded groups, through business support, to gain the necessary skills for employment and independant living.

Scottish Business in the Community have delivered the programme across five cities in Scotland over three years and are now moving into an additional two areas. The 'Ready for Work' scheme provided a minimum two weeks work placement for candidates who need to (re-) familiarise themselves with the workplace - getting them into habits of a working routine, reducing fears, developing new skills and building their confidence,

Candidate's aspirations, where possible, are matched, however, the purpose is not to provide a 'dream job' or a guarantee of a job at the end of their placement.

Candidates will work with a buddy within the workplace who they will shadow throughout their time in the branch. The role of the buddy is to help enable the candidate to reach the point where they are ready to re-enter the world of work.

There have been two training sessions for buddies held in the branch with the second session taking place last week. Buddies were given the opportunity to meet up and chat with Susan Guthrie (Aberdeen Foyer) and Chloe Shand and Carol-Anne Carvil, both from Scottish Business in the Community.

Course member Fiona McFarlane (Visual Merchandising) explained "My SM suggested that I might like to be involved with this initiative. During the training sessions the whole 'Ready for Work' concept was explained to us. It's very much about helpingn to develop the confidence of candidates. The course also discussed the definition of being a Buddy and where Buddies can turn to for support and advice. I'm really looking forward to starting the programme."

For more information on SBC's Ready for Work Programme, please contact Chloe Shand. chloeshand@sbcscot.com 0131 451 1100.