"A lot of credit goes to the SBWA - it generated a big increase in the responses to my applications, and the training I got, helped me secure multiple job offers at once - amazing after 6 months without anything"
Quote from Sean - SBWA Trainee who secured employment immediately after completing the customer services academy.
As the credit crunch took hold and unemployment increased, particularly amongst social housing tenants, Richard was asked to explore the links between Housing and Employment and to deliver a project whereby social housing tenants were helped into employment.
Working in partnership with the local Council, JobCentre Plus, repairs and grounds maintenance contractors, other housing organisations and third sector companies, Richard established "West North West Works", a division of the ALMO which specialised in corporate social responsibility, in particular helping tenants into employment.
A number of Sector Based Work Academies (SBWA) were established, whereby jobseekers were given direct experience of working within housing at no cost to the organisation, whilst also promoting existing staff development as they became mentors to the trainees.
Opportunities were brokered with each of the partners, including:
Achievements: