Salvation Army Jobs Project Moves To High Street To Meet Demand

(back row l-r) Christine Cameron, Kerry Smart, Sandra McAlpine and Margaret Quinn. (front row l-r) Jim Fotheringham, Eve Winters and Louise McKnight

A Salvation Army project that helps people in Falkirk find work has moved to the High Street to meet growing demand.

New Future Employability and Training Centre is up and running in the heart of the town after outgrowing its previous base at Maddiston Corps.

The centre is part a UK-wide Salvation Army initiative called Employment Plus, which offers hope for unemployed people by helping them search for jobs, create CVs, and make the most of job interviews. The centre is also approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Royal Environment Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS).

Staff and volunteers in the cafe area

Since August 2014, staff have delivered 335 courses and out of the 925 registrations nearly 200 service users have moved into employment. The centre has a growing partnership with organisations in and around Falkirk, including the local council and leading employers such as Malcolm Allan Butchers.

The centre is also open to workers and jobseekers looking to enhance their CV or make a career change, and runs a range of accredited short courses. These courses offer industry-recognised qualifications and are available to people of all ages through their Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs).

Louise McKnight, employment development officer, said: “We’re delighted to be leading the way in helping people in Falkirk get back into work.

"It's exciting to finally have our base on the High Street and we’ve already seen a big rise in the number of people coming into the centre.

"We help people find employment and also support people who are already in work but who are looking to better themselves by learning new skills.

"The staff team here are excellent and really go the extra mile to offer practical support and a listening ear. We also have some dedicated volunteers who are able to share their own experiences with new starts."

Jim Fotheringham, Sandra McAlpine and Louise McKnight

One volunteer, Duncan McPhee, from Falkirk, came in with a friend to find work in January and ended up staying on to help others.

Duncan is now set to join the military after landing a job in a medical regiment.

He said: "The centre has been very good to me. I have done a few courses such as first aid, and health and safety.

"It has given me back a lot of my confidence and I can help other people with different abilities and challenges. 

"I run a course for people who want to join the military and help them decide which direction to take.

"I've been accepted for a job working in a medical regiment and now I just have to pass a fitness test.”