Member Article

Cannock cycle charity launches steps to work scheme

A Cannock charity has launched an innovative Steps To Work project to help local people into the workplace, after securing funding for the next three years.

Cycle-R, based at High Green Court, is planning to provide training for 150 people, helping them gain practical work experience and qualifications.

Cycle-R trustee Richard Lawrence said: “We are thrilled to have secured funding through the Building Better Opportunities project to support this initiative, which will help long term unemployed or economically inactive people in Cannock to gain skills and experience in the workplace.”

Cycle-R has received funding through Building Better Opportunities (www.stepstowork.co.uk/). The project has received up to £3,170,300 of funding from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.

The Steps To Work scheme will deliver training in a range of disciplines including bicycle mechanic, warehouse and storage, book keeping, administration, customer service and retail.

Richard added: “Our premises in High Green Court have been refitted to provide suitable training workshop space, giving the trainees a real-world environment to learn in.

“The six-week course will enable them to gain a Level 2 qualification and a range of high quality employability skills. We hope to be able to offer a number of participants full-time jobs with the Cycle-R charity in the long term.

“We have worked alongside the Job Centre and referral partners to identify the first tranche of trainees and applications for the second course will open in March, with places available on a first come, first served basis.”

The courses will be a mixture of practical, hands on experience within the Cycle-R charity and work-book training with regular assessments. Trainees will attend four days per week, for four hours each day, but Cycle-R can be flexible on times and dates in order to accommodate the needs and requirements of individual learners.

Anyone interested in the scheme can get information from the Job Centre, by calling in to Cycle-R, New Hall, High Green Court, Cannock WS11 1GR or emailing training@cycle-r.org.uk

Cycle-R provides low-cost, high quality refurbished bikes to low income families in Cannock. The charity also encourages cycling as a sport and supports the environment by recycling bikes that would otherwise be scrapped.

The shop in High Green Court stocks a wide range of cycles to suit all ages, priced from as little as £35, and also has a selection of specialist bikes for hire under the Wheels for All initiative which help people with disabilities and differing needs to enjoy cycling.

More information can be found at www.cycle-r.org.uk or by calling 01543 523606.

Neil Edginton of High Green Court, said: “This project from Cycle-R is a terrific example of community action to support local people, and typical of the businesses that operate within High Green Court – independent organisations working to improve and enhance the neighbourhood in Cannock.

“We look forward to seeing how the scheme develops and wish all the trainees the best in gaining qualifications, experience and hopefully new careers.”

High Green Court, on Newhall Street in the heart of Cannock town centre, offers a selection of high street names and specialist shops, offices, restaurants and bars, with a secure car parking available from just £1 per hour.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Caroline Garbett .