Member Article

Vivark provides work placements for long-term unemployed

Facilities management company and social enterprise, Vivark, is providing three long-term unemployed Knowsley residents with a six month work placement and training, in order to increase their prospects of future employment.

Vivark, part of the First Ark Group, has teamed up with social enterprise Fusion 21 to offer these opportunities as part of Knowsley Work’s Transitional Employment Programme, which aims to enhance and develop skills, improve self-confidence and provide work experience to locals who have been out of employment for an extended period of time.

Those taking part in the programme are working in a variety of positions across Vivark, from office based admin through to more practical facilities management roles. Each individual will also complete a training plan, supervised by their line manager, with the aim of receiving a certified qualification by the end of their placement.

Sean Best, 25, who has been unemployed for two years, is fulfilling his placement as an admin assistant.

He said: “Completing a wide variety of tasks within the admin team is a great chance for me to boost my skillset and receive training in new areas. The friendly team here has encouraged me in my work and provided useful feedback, which I will be able to confidently apply when looking for career opportunities in the future.”

Tony Cahill, executive director at Vivark, said: “As a social enterprise, our mission is to invest in the local community and support other Knowsley businesses. The Transitional Employment Programme allows us to do just this. By offering training combined with practical experience, we are able to aid people’s professional development and boost their employability.

“We’ve had great feedback from the participants’ line managers and hope their time here at Vivark will positively contribute to their future employment opportunities.”

Also undertaking a placement at Vivark are operatives Michael Rafferty, 38 and Daniel Murphy, 44. They are joined at the First Ark Group by Megan Kearns, 24, who is working as an admin assistant on behalf of Knowsley Housing Trust.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .