Colleagues in the Employability team recently hosted a successful awards ceremony for the second year.
More than 120 nominations were made for the second annual Employability Awards.
These took place at Saltcoats Town Hall in November and turned the spotlight on trainees, volunteers, Modern Apprentices and people gaining skills, confidence and work experience to prepare to progress to the world of work.
The event was arranged by the Employability Service’s Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme.
Council Leader Marie Burns and Provost Anthea Dickson presented awards in eight categories on the day.
Laura Neill, Senior Manager (Employability & Skills) within Economic Development & Regeneration said: “It was an honour for the team to host the awards for the second year, and to hear all of the nominees’ amazing stories. It was certainly tough to choose between those on the shortlist!
“I would like to thank everyone in the service who worked hard to make the event a success and bring some well-deserved recognition to the very people we are supporting.”
Remember, our Employability Service delivers a range of support through its Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme.
Contracted partners delivering Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire include We Work for Families and CEIS Ayrshire, who all contribute to delivering a wide range of support to help individuals prepare and progress into employment.
To access any of the opportunities delivered by Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire please email: employability@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
You can also find out how Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire can help you with things like CVs, application forms, Modern Apprenticeships, paid work experience, interview techniques and secure employment on the All Age Employment section of the Council website.
“It was tough to choose between those on the shortlist this year! I would like to thank everyone in the service who worked hard to make the event a success and bring some well-deserved recognition to the very people we are supporting.”Laura Neill, Senior Manager (Employability & Skills) within Economic Development & Regeneration
The categories and winners are:
Outstanding Team Member – Hev Clift
At Booth Welsh engineering services, Irvine, Hev has made significant contributions to sustainability, inclusivity, and data-driven initiatives. Hev leads and supports the Net Zero Heroes group, which collects emissions data to help map the firm’s carbon footprint. Improving inclusivity – including understanding of neurodiversity – has also been a big part of their work life.
Outstanding Effort – Scott McCrone
Scott registered with We Work for Families in April as a lone parent following the sad passing of his partner. He previously studied to become a plumber but was interested in working in admin. He was supported to complete online courses including Dealing with Stress and Anxiety in the Workplace and a Level 3 Admin, PA and Secretarial Diploma. Through the Council’s Skills for Life programme, he secured a 20-hours per week work placement with Taylor & Henderson solicitors and estate agents, in Saltcoats, as an administration assistant and is thriving.
Placement Champion – Jenna Greenhills
Inspirational mum Jenna’s “determination, resilience, and commitment” earned her the nomination. Transport and childcare were barriers to her finding work and through We Work For Families, she completed a Skills for Life (SFL) Classroom Assistant programme. Following a 26-week paid placement at Dalry Primary School, she secured a full-time position as a pupil support assistant. There were setbacks along the way, but she is flourishing.
Employer Recognition – Taylor & Henderson
The firm has been a great supporter of the Council’s Parental Employment Programmes over the past year, offering parents placements and helping them develop skills. The team has also supported youth employability, and is currently training one candidate to be a paralegal.
Volunteer of the Year – Louisa Findlay
Her “exceptional dedication, teamwork and consistent contributions” at Café solace – a series of community cafés in Irvine and the Garnock Valley delivered by people in recovery – earned her the nomination. Louisa, who cares for her daughter, was interested helping people with addictions. Her We Work For Families coordinator supported her to volunteer, and she later secured a part-time, paid role at the recovery café.
Modern Apprentice of the Year – Erin Stirling
Erin started with the Council’s Equal programme – a supported employment service that guides people with long-term health conditions and disabilities into work and training – in summer 2023. Due to health issues, she gave up her childcare job. The team supported her into a Modern Apprenticeship within the Council’s HR Resourcing department. After completing the MA in July this year, she gained a permanent position as a customer support administrator within the Governance team.
Achiever of the Year – Tetiana Druzenko
Qualified music teacher and child psychologist Tetiana, from Ukraine, lives in North Ayrshire with her two children and struggled to find work before registering with We Work For Families. Through Skills For Life, she secured a 26-week paid placement as a Classroom Assistant at Winton Primary School, Ardrossan. She now works as an Early Years Support Assistant at Springvale Early Years. She was nominated for “her outstanding perseverance and dedication in overcoming significant personal and professional challenges”.
Young Achiever of the Year – Jack Townsley
Jack (16) lost his dad at a young age and struggled at school. He set up his own garden maintenance scheme for friends and family, so when an opening for the Modern Apprenticeship in Horticulture was advertised he was supported to apply. He earned an MA with the Council’s Streetscene team in Ardrossan has been described as “very enthusiastic and capable.”