Search
News
City College's courses for unemployed SHINE through
21 December 2009
It's now six months since City College Brighton and Hove began the hugely successful SHINE project which the College runs in conjunction with local Jobcentres. The project offers free courses for people who've been unemployed for over six months to help get them back into employment. Since June 2009, over 500 people have enrolled. The training offered is aimed at the key employment sectors within the local job market such as Hospitality, Security, Retail, Tourism and Care. After successful completion of the courses, students gain recognised qualifications significantly enhancing their prospects of getting back into employment.
Anthony Barnes, who achieved his SIA Security Officer qualification through the SHINE project and who is now employed by Total Security Services (TSS), is particularly appreciative of how the courses have helped his fortunes to change. Anthony says:
Anthony Barnes
'My circumstances were very difficult before I did the courses. I'd spent the last twenty years in the licensing trade managing pubs and then running my own pub which went out of business last year. Last January, I had no home and no job. I managed to find somewhere to live again but finding work was a lot more difficult. I didn't want to go back into the licensing trade because the hours and the drinking culture were detrimental to my health. I kept looking around, applied for no end of jobs and in the first six months, I just got one interview and that was to go back into the pub trade! I'd already had the idea of going into the security industry, the Job Centre told me about the SHINE courses and I jumped at the chance.'
'In terms of how they've turned my life around, I wouldn't be where I am without them - it's as simple as that. I needed to change my job and all the qualifications I'd earned in the early 70's meant nothing to employers. My future is a lot brighter now because I've got into the security industry which seems to be booming.'
'City College has been absolutely brilliant and the staff have been very helpful in pointing me in the right direction. Everything I've done at the College has been very useful. I can put these qualifications on my CV and show to any employer that I'm willing to do something to move ahead. When I went for my first interview with TSS, they clearly liked the fact that I was actually making the effort to do something to improve my situation.'
For more information on the courses, call 01273 667788 and ask to speak to the SHINE adviser.
For media enquiries, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk website www.ccb.ac.uk
About City College Brighton and Hove: Situated in the heart of Brighton, City College Brighton and Hove has become an international centre of vocational excellence. Every year 2,000 full-time, 10,000 part time, over 500 Higher Education and 250 14-16 year old students as well as many international and European students choose City College as their place of further and higher education training. In addition, the College provides training to over 2,000 businesses via its 'City Business Skills' department which focuses on employer training needs. Offering over 700 courses from basic level right through to business and postgraduate training, City College is working with its partners to develop the workforce of the future.
Website design by KMD
© City College Brighton and Hove 2009
