Michael Kelly - Events Coordinator at New Link

Michael Kelly has been unemployed for 15 months before being offered the Events Coordinator role at New Link through the Future Jobs Fund scheme. He started his new post on the 16th February 2010.

New Link is an information and advice service which is available to new arrivals to Peterborough. They offer help and advice to asylum seekers, refugees and new migrants by advising them on access to employment, health services, welfare benefits and migration. Michael’s role at New Link is primarily to help with the design and production of informational and promotional materials such as posters and leaflets for the project steering groups. He is also involved in organising and planning events like the forthcoming Refugee Week in June.

Since Michael started at New Link he has particularly "enjoyed being part of the steering group for the Refugee Week 2010 celebrations’’. Michael also had this to say about his new role ‘’ the post is a bit different to what I expected from this type of organisation, this is not a bad thing as I am really enjoying myself and the tasks I am asked to do.’’

"It has been very exciting meeting new people from a wide range of different communities and backgrounds since working here. The staff I work with have been excellent - they are all so helpful and friendly.’’

The Future Jobs Fund Shop is now open!

This morning saw the opening of the Future Jobs Fund Shop.

The shop, which is at 67 Long Causeway, Peterborough, was opened at 9am this morning by Leader of the Council, Marco Cereste.

Speaking on the Future Jobs Fund, Marco said:
“The Future Jobs Fund is a fantastic initiative which is proving to be really popular with Peterborough young people. I’m glad that we have been able to help so many young people through the scheme and hope we can continue to offer them support and assistance through the Future Jobs Fund shop”

The shop will serve as a centre which young people can visit to find out about the latest opportunities available through the Future Jobs Fund. The shop will also provide a base for young people employed in the scheme to visit if they have any work related questions. A Future Jobs Fund employee manager will always be available in the shop to offer support and advice to the 100 plus Future Jobs Fund employees in the city.

It was great to see so many Future Jobs Fund employees at the shop opening - some of which spoke to Heart Fm about their Future Jobs Fund experience.

At the opening, Caroline Rowan, Future Jobs Fund deputy project manager said:
“Having a shop presence allows us to provide a centre for Future Jobs Fund employees to visit if they require support or assistance whilst part of the Future Jobs Fund scheme. The shop also provides a place where the local community can visit to find out more about the Future Jobs Fund scheme in Peterborough and what it has to offer the city.”




Pictured Left - The Future Jobs Fund team

100 Young People employed through the Peterborough Future Jobs Fund

Peterborough's Future Jobs Fund, has now led to 100 young people being offered jobs in the city.

The scheme has been a resounding success, with over 20 public and voluntary sector organisations coming together to create jobs for young people who have been out of employment between 26 and 50 weeks.

Filled Future Jobs Fund roles include Microbiologists with NHS Peterborough, Community Development workers with Peterborough City Council, Heritage Assistants with Peterborough Museum and many more.

There are currently 67 Future Jobs Fund roles being advertised - click here to see current vacancies.

Nick Goodman, Acting Greater Peterborough Partnership Manager said; ‘I was very impressed with the calibre of the applicants. Each young person who showed an interest in the Future Jobs Fund posts which I was directly involved with showed fantastic potential and enthusiasm. I was very pleased to offer the young people posts within the Environment Capital Communications Team.”

Richard Cooper: Care and Repair Team Member

What Richard has to say about his first week as part of Peterborough's Care and Repair Team:

"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 scheme."

Improving the recycling in Peterborough

Lee Allen has started work with Peterborough City Council as a Recycling Project Officer. Lee started on 2nd February 2010 "being a recycling officer is very enjoyable, although I still have a lot to learn! The Future Jobs Fund has provided me with a job filled with new experiences and skills including verbal / written communication, IT skills and speaking and educating the public on how to increase their recycling".

Lee is assisting the the senior community engagement officer to increase recycling participation and to help Peterborough City Council reach the recycling and waste targets through education across the District and decrease the level of contamination of recyclables. He will be working with community groups, businesses, schools, residents and community leaders to raise awareness of Environmental issues across the district.

Kirsty Martin, Senior Community engagement officer for Peterborough City Council "The role which Lee is doing will benefit the environment of Peterborough, help to achieve better recycling rates and decrease contamination and help promote education across the city".

Meet Max Casbon, Microbiology Assistant Technical Officer

Max Casbon started with Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on 8th February 2010 as a Microbiology Assistant Technical Officer.

Prior to beginning with the Future Jobs Fund Max has participated in voluntary work at Peterborough District Hospital in the pathology and microbiology department, which meant when this position became available it was an ideal opportunity for Max to begin his career in the area of work which he really wanted to do. In Max's application form for the job he stated that "I believe that this opportunity would provide me with the vital experience that can be used as a good platform to continue my chosen career within the NHS".

Since starting his job, Max has been learning about organisms, antibiotics and how to handle plate samples. He has undertaken training in sensitivity, routine bench training and MRSA screening. Max has already started teaching others; he recently showed work experience students how the MRSA bench worked.

"The job is really exciting and is exactly what I thought it would be. There is a real variety of work which is really interesting and everyone is really nice. It is very busy and I have learnt so much already. " Max Casbon

What the Future Jobs Fund candidates are saying

"Can’t wait to start, I’ve been out of work for such a long time it is brilliant to get a job! I think the FJF is a good idea and it is an added bonus that I will receive training as well. It has given me hope”LEA JORDAN, Painter and Decorator – YMCA

“FJF gives young people an opportunity to do something they really like, after gaining this experience who knows what I will be able to do! This is a huge opportunity for me and has opened the door to the future, I am so happy”ASTA REMEZAITE – Community Project Worker

“Looking forward to getting started, getting back into work is brilliant. Last year I would never have thought I would be offered a job like this, FJF is giving kids a chance!”ALEX AMOS – Carer Support Worker – PCVS

“If it wasn’t for FJF I would never have got this chance. I studied medical science at college and this job will start my career. I am very happy and excited”NATALIE ROBERTSON – Biochemist - NHS