Working Links Presentation of Awards January 15th 2010

Fabian Hamilton MP was invited to Working Links at Technorth, Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton on Friday 15th January 2010 to make special presentations to three clients who had successfully completed training through the 1st Step Engagement Programme and are now employed in West Yorkshire. Working Links and the 1st Step Engagement Programme receives funding from The European Social Fund, (ESF) channelled through the UK government Department of Work and Pensions. Its work centres on giving employment skills and support for job seeking to people who are unemployed and furthest away from the jobs market. The organisation has more than 180 branches nationwide and has helped over 130,000 people into work in 10 years, by providing skills and support to the long term unemployed. Attendance on the scheme is voluntary and this contributes to the high level of success. Some 30% of trainees move into employment afterwards. The pictures below show staff, visitors and Working Links clients at the event in Technorth where Fabian was able to personally congratulate the achievers and to thank staff for all their work. For more information about Working Links, click on the logo above.

	Before the presentation of the awards, Fabian talks to John Scantlebury, Operations Manager for South Tyneside, West and South Yorkshire of Working Links, Jo Collins ESF Delivery and Contract Manager at Working Links and Yvonne Hackwell Working Links 1st Step Engagement Performance Manager.
	John Scantlebury introduces the awards presentation assisted by Sarah Wharton responsible for Marketing and Public Relations.
	Yvonne Hackwell and John Scantlebury join with Fabian to present an achievement award to Yven Ken Tsang who has begun working in the catering industry. Yven had also met Fabian some 11 years before while a pupil at Carr Manor School in Leeds.
	Lauren Harrison who has become a care support worker is presented with her award.
	The third presentation was the award for Nancy Cumming who has now begun work as a care assistant.
	Speaking at the presentation, Fabian commended the success of the trainees in relaising their ambitions after hard work and thanked the staff of Working Links for the valuable work they were doing. Fabian drew attention to the fact that the catering trades and in particular the care services needed personnel and that this work was very important for the economy and the communty of the city of Leeds.
	The three award winners pose for an official photograph with Fabian and staff of Working Links.
	From left to right: Jo Collins Working Links Delivery Manager, West and South Yorkshire Adele Kalkan ESF Manager at the Department of Work and Pensions Fabian Hamilton MP John Scantlebury Working Links Operations Manager, South Tyneside, West and South Yorkshire Yvonne Hackwell Working Links Performance Manager, 1st Step contract Sara Walker Third Party Provision Team at Job Centre Plus