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• The Journal, March 2010

  • LOSING JOB INSPIRES CHANGE OF CAREER

    A WOMAN made redundant from a chemical plant is looking forward to embracing her life-long ambition of working in interior design after taking part in a project aimed at retaining skilled workers in the North East.

    Talent Challenge was developed a year ago in response to demand identified by the Skills and Employment Response Group (SERG), which was set up to guide people and businesses to public sector support during the recession.

    The One North East funded project aims to help drive future economic growth by ensuring talented people don’t have to leave the region to achieve their career ambitions.

    Karen Randles, 45, of Chester-le-Street, had worked at the Jarrow-based company Rohm and Haas for 13 years after relocating to the region from the South East where she worked for ten years - to help strengthen sales at the plant.

    She was made redundant last August and after being referred to Talent Challenge discovered there were options for her to achieve her dream career in textiles and interior design. She has received funding to a undergo a training course for interior design programme Vectorworks, and also to install a software package on her home computer, giving Karen confidence to continue her career development within the North East.

    Karen said: “I have a real passion for design and textile design and am a member of Fusion, a regionally-based group that boasts members who come together to exhibit work we have designed.

    “However I would love to progress into the commercial side of interior design and the Talent Challenge programme has not only helped me realise that’s what I want to do but has given me the relevant funding to help me work towards achieving my career goal.

    “I left school at 16 and went straight into work and regretted not following my heart into textiles so I am very grateful for the guidance and funding through Talent Challenge to help me achieve my life-time ambition. Having relocated to the North East many years ago I am keen to stay here and pursue my new career as I love Newcastle which is also so rich in fabulous design.

    “I am about to start my training next week and I’m excited as to where my future lies after that and would strongly recommend people use Talent Challenge if they have found themselves unemployed and in need of guidance and support.”

    One North East has invested £4.65m in the Talent Challenge project allowing it to run until March 2012 and enable a wide range of services to be offered to the project’s key target group – professionals, managers, unemployed or under-employed graduates or highly skilled technicians who are:

    - Newly unemployed (up to one year)

    - Under threat of unemployment or subject to short term working

    - Post Graduates who are unemployed or under-employed

    Over a three-year period it is forecast the project will safeguard 50 jobs, support at least 370 businesses, help over 3,000 people gain new employment and help over 1,600 people improve their skill levels.

    Dorothy Kelly, Talent Challenge Project Manager at One North East, said: “Talent Challenge offers a hands-on approach to individuals affected by the recession, giving people real help and advice at the risk stage before they are made redundant or shortly after to ensure they are armed with a package of support to get back into work.

    “Helping people get their career back on track is at the heart of what we are doing as well as helping retain highly skilled and talented individuals in the region to ensure we are in a strong position for the economic upturn.”

    The pilot service is currently being delivered by Northern Recruitment Group (NRG) which is proactively identifying individuals who could benefit from support and then carrying out in-depth tailored assessments and personal development plans.

    The NRG service also aims to provide in-depth job search techniques and funding for individuals for bespoke higher level skills provision which will support them in their search for new employment.

    Therese Liddle, Managing Director of NRG, added: “We work closely with individuals to identify competencies and capabilities before developing an action plan with an ultimate aim of finding another job opportunity in the region. In Karen’s case the help and advice has allowed her to strive for a change in career which she has a clear passion for.

    “I would strongly urge such talented people affected by the recession to get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can work together and help get careers back on path and benefit individuals and the region.”

    For further information contact the NRG dedicated project team on 0845 481 0469 or send an email enquiry to talentmanagement@nrgplc.com

  • Hexham Courant, September 2009

    • It’s more important than ever, in these challenging times, that we help people and business to access the wide range of practical support now available in our region.

      That’s why key local organisations are working closely so firms and individuals know who to talk to about getting support and advice... and act on it! In this series of articles we highlight examples of people and businesses that have done just that and benefited as a result.

      

      Talented individuals affected by the recession are being encouraged to take advantage of a unique service funded by One North East and delivered by Northern Recruitment Group (NRG). The Talent Challenge initiative is aimed at people who have leadership, managerial and professional experience and expertise as well as those who are highly skilled technical staff who face the possibility of redundancy, have recently lost their job or have been put on short-time working - to provide personal action plans to ensure that their skills and experience are retained within the North East.

      One such person is 39 year old Craig Fawcett from Chester-le-Street who was made redundant from his senior management role at Northern Rock in April. “One of my first thoughts after it happened was that I might have to leave the region to find suitable work”, said Craig.

      “But having been referred onto the Talent Challenge, the process really opened my eyes to the general skills I had, how I could enhance these further and the fact that there were appropriate and exciting opportunities for me in the North East. As a result I was motivated to undertake a PRINCE 2 Project Management course, re-write my CV and I am currently exploring a number of options that I’m confident will see me back in work soon. The team at NRG were great to work with and really helped me re-discover my confidence after the initial blow”.

      Caroline Graham, Project Manager at NRG said: “We work closely with individuals to identify competencies and capabilities before developing an action plan with an ultimate aim of finding another job opportunity in the region.

      The plans focus on identifying and developing the skills of the people on the scheme and harnessing their talent into new employment, skill enhancement, further education, self employment or business start-ups”.

      “I would strongly urge such talented people affected by the recession to get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can work together and help get careers back on path and so benefiting the region.”

      So, whether you’re worried about redundancy, want advice on updating your skills, changing jobs or getting back into work real help is available. Or, if your business would benefit from a free health check and advice, Real Help is at hand. To find out more visit [ www.realhelpnortheast.co.uk ]

       

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