Meet the Team

The Future Jobs Fund Team has recently appointed three new members. Gary Conder has joined us as a placement manager, Lee Wyer has joined as the project assistant and Russell Leigh is the latest addition as administration support.

Gary Conder was working as a personal advisor at the Job Centre Plus before joining the Future Jobs Fund team. Gary started on the 4Th January 2010.

"The Future Jobs Fund is moving at pace now and I have seen many delighted candidates at the start of a beneficial journey, courtesy of the Future Jobs Fund and its partner organisations. On a personal note, I find it very rewarding knowing that I am helping young people of Peterborough gain valuable experience with a view to help them into sustainable employment." (Gary Conder, placement manager, FJF).

Lee Wyer was unemployed for 10 months before joining the Future Jobs Fund, he was one of the first to gain employment through the project and has been here since 21st December 2009.

"Since I have been here I have found the experience very enjoyable, and it has given me many opportunities I didn't think I would ever get. I have currently been working with and along side Gary Conder, in assisting new employee's with their starter forms, CRB checks and other paperwork. Whilst doing this I feel like we have been helping young people obtain great opportunities and experiences, which has given me a great sense of pride and achievement in helping others gain work." (Lee Wyer, Projects Assistant, FJF).

Russell Leigh started with the team on 26Th January 2010. Prior to beginning work Russell had been unemployed for 8 months. To keep himself busy Russell took part in Key Theatre stage productions such as Oliver and West Side Story. He was also studying performing arts at Peterborough Regional College.

"I was unemployed for the better part of eight months before finding and getting a great opportunity with the Future Jobs Fund. In the early days of me learning about this scheme I was given the one thing that made it different from every other job application, assurance of feedback and possibility of an interview. A few weeks later I received a call back from all the organisations I applied to and in the end I received an offer of a job which I really wanted. It is a great experience, I am really enjoying it, and I am smiling right now!" (Russell Leigh, FJF Administration Assistant).

Richard Cooper and Russell Carr - Care and Repair Department

Richard Cooper joined the Care and repair team at Peterborough City Council on Monday 4th January. Richard says "The Future Jobs Fund Project has allowed me to undertake work for the care and repair team at Peterborough City Council.My first week has been a real experience as it has allowed me to get a feel of office life and learn about what the care and repair team does for the local community. After an initial introduction, I was able to go on a site visit with my colleague to some client’s homes. This allowed me to see the difference the team makes to vulnerable people in the community. Since then, I have been doing all different office duties throughout the week and am currently taking calls and information for the handy person schemeThe future Job Fund has allowed me to find work of which I have always wanted to do and would not have been able to gain such valuable experience if it was not for the Future Job Fund Project."

Russell Carr, Care and Repair manager says "Richard joined us on Monday, most of the first day involved admin and an introduction to the team and its systems. I was surprised how quick Richard was to pick up our processes especially the IT elements.Richard has assisted our Caseworkers and Surveyors on visits and has already been able to help with general admin work. On Thursday Richard ran the Care & Repair Handy person service for the day dealing with client’s queries by telephone. He allocated, chased and queried handy person work with contractors by e-mail and telephone.Richard’s input has had a beneficial effect already; the work he has done has allowed other team members to concentrate on other work to assist older, disabled and vulnerable people.It has been a really positive first week, feedback from the team has been really encouraging. We are now looking to get CRB clearance to allow Richard to have the opportunity to undertake home visits on his own in the future. "

Getting to know you...

The Future Jobs Fund Project has really come to life over the past two weeks.

I have had the opportunity to meet the young people who are applying for our fantastic jobs. I recently spent two days at Peterborough Job Centre helping young people fill in their application forms.

I feel very confident that the calibre of young people is truly brilliant in Peterborough and the host companies working with us on this project should look forward to having bright, enthusiastic candidates working with them very shortly!

One young person I was speaking to told me that they had always wanted to be a paramedic. They had never dreamed that they would be able to do this, but by applying for the youth health trainer job they have made a step towards their ideal career.

Today I have been with the Princes Trust team at Fletton Youth club. What a great bunch of young people; cheeky, lively and very confident - just the kind of people we are looking for.

I can't wait to see where the Future Jobs Fund will take them.

Caroline Rowan,
Future Jobs Fund, Project Manager

Future Jobs Fund in the news

Peterborough's Future Jobs Fund was mentioned in the Peterborough Evening Telegraph today,
within an article on the Fall in numbers of jobless people in the city.

The article said:

Peterborough's winning bid to create 167 new jobs through
the Government's Future Jobs Fund has gone livewith the first 88 jobs now being
advertised through Job Centre Plus.

The first jobs, specifically for 18-24 years olds who have been unemployed between 39 – 50 weeks, include;
· Two positions within the NHS informatics team
· Three roles supporting the YMCA with its youth delivery programmes
· Eight community project workers within Peterborough City Council’s neighbourhood management team

Richard Astle, GPP Director said, “This is brilliant news for all of Peterborough’s residents, not just those young people employed through the Future Jobs Fund.

Click here to see the details of the Future Jobs Fund on the Peterborough Today website: http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/Fall-in-number-of-Peterborough.5820721.jp

Ring our Hotline: 01733 296571

We have now set up a Future Jobs Fund Hotline, for those wishing to apply for a Future Jobs Fund job.

If you are interested in making an application, please call:

01733 296571

Alternately, make an appointment with your JobCentre personal advisor and they will be able to tell you all about the Future Jobs Fund and the jobs which you may be interested in.

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Future Jobs Fund, Peterborough

James Purnell Launches Future Jobs Fund

The video below helps explain what the Future Jobs Fund is and why it is so exciting. I hope you find it useful - we did.