Success Doncaster

June 2010

The search is now on for Doncaster’s Community Learning and Employment Champions following the official launch of the Community Learning and Employment Champion (CLEC) contract at the Trades and Labour Club in the Frenchgate Centre.

The CLEC project is the latest addition to the Success Doncaster family of programmes designed to encourage learning, employment and enterprise opportunities for local Doncaster residents.   Managed by A4e (Action for Employment) and Icon Events Ltd this is a new and innovative project for the borough.

Over 30 different community and support service organisations attended the inaugural launch of the programme.  Comments A4e’s Donna Whittingham
“We are excited about rolling out this volunteer Champion programme.   Now more than ever people need to be aware of the learning and employment options open and available to them.  What better way to communicate the opportunities available to people than through local community volunteers based in their own neighbourhoods.”

The CLEC project is designed to recruit and support 41 Champions from nine specific neighbourhoods in the borough - Hexthorpe and Balby, Intake and Wheatley, Edlington and Sprotbrough, Hatfield and Stainforth, Adwick, Doncaster Town Centre, Hyde Park, Mexborough, Conisbrough and Denaby.

Once recruited, each Champion will go on to work within their own communities with the aim of signposting and supporting fellow residents into employment and work opportunities. The experience gained from becoming a Champion could also improve individuals’ employability chances all leading to better employment prospects for the future.

Champions will be given free one to one support provided by A4e. Everyone taking part in the project will be able to take part in a wide range of training and employment activities designed to give further support to secure positive, long-term employment.

“Through our Success Doncaster programme we are committed to supporting businesses, communities and individuals with a range of issues including debt counselling, personal finance, learning new skills and getting back into employment. I am confident that this new initiative will enhance the existing help and support already available through the programme” said Julie Wilson, Programme manager for Success Doncaster.