News Article

A £1million training programme to boost employment in the North East will help learners gain qualifications and provide them with the opportunity to volunteer at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Jonathan Edwards, Olympic triple jump gold medallist and world record holder, today (Thursday, March 19) launched Personal Best at The Riverside - Durham County Cricket Club’s ground.

The pre-employment programme, which is being funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North East through the European Social Fund (ESF), will provide training in volunteering for up to 1,000 people across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and the Tees Valley.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has guaranteed graduates of Personal Best an interview for the Games-time Volunteer programme, due to be launched by next year.

Jonathan, who is also Deputy Chair of the London 2012 Nations and Regions Group and a member of LOCOG, said: “When working towards a personal best, whether it be on the track or in the workplace, training is essential as it helps develop skills and strengths which will take you to the next level.

“For participants in the Personal Best programme, the legacy of the 2012 Games starts now as the scheme enables people to make positive life changes.”

The North East is the first UK region to launch Personal Best, following a successful pilot in London.  It is being delivered in partnership by LSC North East, One North East (ONE) and LOCOG. The programme has been awarded the London 2012 Inspire mark.

Those taking part in the programme will receive training towards an NVQ Level 1 qualification in Event Volunteering, which will cover subjects including equality and diversity, developing team skills, basic fire awareness and conflict resolution – transferable skills which will help equip them for the world of work. They will also gain volunteering experience.

Chris Roberts, Regional Director, LSC North East, said: “Personal Best will harness the force of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to engage people living in the North East who are out of work and socially excluded.

“It will transform the lives of those who are eligible to take part by providing a unique learning opportunity, which will raise confidence and aspiration and will act as a stepping stone to new employment opportunities, which is the ultimate aim of Personal Best.”

Only those who are aged 19 years or older and have been out of work for more than six months are eligible to take part.

In order to tackle social exclusion, the scheme is particularly hoping to attract people from a black or minority ethnic background, those with a disability, lone parents, women returning to the workplace and individuals with health conditions.

Stacy Hall, Director of Communications and Tourism at ONE, said: “One North East is pleased to lend support to this unique programme, which provides an exciting opportunity for those individuals out of work to improve their chances of accessing new employment opportunities and gaining new skills.

“The North East is the first region outside London to launch this new pre-employment programme, so I hope people across the region will get on board. The additional opportunity for graduates of the scheme to secure an interview for the Games-time volunteer programme is also a great motivation.”

Personal Best will be delivered by Northumberland College in Ashington, Jigsaw Training in Gateshead, Hartlepool Borough Council and New College Durham.

Those eligible and interested in receiving further information on Personal Best should contact one of the providers above or their local JobCentre Plus.