People who have recently lost their jobs in Cornwall are being offered free skills training as part of a back-to-work scheme launched by Working Links in partnership with Newquay based company The Training Centre.

The Response to Redundancy scheme managed in Cornwall by The Training Centre offers funded places on a range of vocational courses to workers who have been made redundant or lost their jobs within the last six months.

Launched this week in response to rising unemployment caused by Britain’s worst recession in recorded history, the programme aims to help people build a portfolio of practical qualifications which could lead them back into sustainable employment.

According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, the unemployment rate in the South West region increased to 179,000 people out of work in August. The issue is exacerbated in Cornwall at this time of year due to the seasonality of the tourism industry.

The innovative scheme offered in Cornwall by The Training Centre is the first in the country to include the National Beach Lifeguard Qualification and includes specialist first aid rescue courses, carefully selected to suit the needs of the county’s leisure based economy.

To be eligible for one of the 100 funded places, candidates must be over 18 years old, resident in Cornwall and have lost their jobs in the last six months.

Successful candidates are entitled to 75 hours worth of free training, which must be taken between now and the end of March on specific courses operated at The Training Centre’s base at Lusty Glaze Beach in Newquay.

As well as lifeguarding qualifications, participants can choose to take other practical courses such as HSE First Aid at Work, Fire Marshall and Conflict Management, which can significantly improve employment options in many types of businesses.

There are also a number of specialist courses such as Emergency Medical Technician (Basic) and Emergency Response (Activity Supervisor) which could help people to launch themselves into exciting new careers.

David Whelan, Training Centre Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be delivering this programme in Cornwall in partnership with Working Links.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for victims of the recession to turn their lives around and gain new skills which could help them to find their way back into employment.

“This is particularly important in Cornwall where seasonal tourism leaves many hotel and leisure industry staff without jobs at this time of year.”

Working Links, which has pioneered a number of similar projects across the UK, is supported by the Learning Skills Council (LSC) and the European Social Fund (ESF) with Convergence funding.

Donna Lawson, speaking on behalf of Working Links, commented: “Seasonality in Cornwall affects many leisure industry staff, such as nightclub doormen, surf instructors and beach lifeguards, many of whom struggle to find the money to renew qualifications or improve their skills.

“The programme offered by The Training Centre and Working Links offers short, sharp, intensive courses, which will allow people to get their qualifications up-to-date and help them secure employment now or when the new season starts next year.”

The first students on the Response to Redundancy scheme started their courses this week (w/c 26 October), with many more places now available on further courses throughout November and the next few months.

Anyone who has recently lost their job and wants to take up the offer of free training, should contact The Training Centre on 01637 879642 or visit www.Training-Centre.org

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