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Press Releases from Access North Ayr |
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Access North Ayr gets more local people back to work |
Scottish economic regeneration and employment training charity Access North Ayr (ANA) today reports that in its latest financial year 2003/4 it has helped 133 people in North Ayr to find a job, 65 to gain an SVQ, and 14 to progress into Further or Higher Education. In addition, 366 people actively took advantage of the facilities in ANA’s Flexible Learning Centre, which this year gained Learndirect Scotland accreditation.
At ANA’s Annual General Meeting, Access North Ayr chief executive Bill Munsie said: “We aim to tailor our service to meet people’s individual needs. Every individual has their own particular challenges to meet when they get involved in learning, and barriers to overcome to improve their employment prospects. ANA has a wide range of activities to offer something to everyone who wants to improve their skills and employability. ANA is committed to making sure that everyone in North Ayr receives, as near as possible, exactly the support they need to get them either into a first job, or a into better job if they are already employed.
“Too many people in Ayr North, while wanting to work, still need that extra bit of support to help them achieve their goal. Providing this support is what ANA is here to do, and this continues to be what drives us.”
Nearly 2,000 local residents are registered with ANA to improve their job opportunities by increasing their skills and work experience. In the past decade, over 1,500 local people have got a job with ANA’s support, leading to better prospects for them, their families and the local community as a whole.
Nationally, nearly 75% of adults aged from 16 to 65 have a job. But in Ayr North, only just over 40% of working age adults are in employment.
The focus of ANA’s activities over the past few years has changed to reflect developments in the labour market. Locally and nationally the levels of registered unemployment are at a historical low, while the number of people in work is higher than ever. In Ayr North registered unemployment continues to fall. But the major challenge that ANA now faces is working with the large number of people locally who want a job and are unemployed, but not registered.
Bill Munsie says: “For someone in this situation, maybe not having worked for years, if at all, there is no ‘quick fix’. It can take months to help people find a job. In some cases it will take years. ANA targets people in this situation using our OutReach Team. Our approach is - if people don’t come to us, we will go to them. We then have to make sure ANA offers an effective way to link people to jobs. We design our activities to make sure that we can support anyone living in Ayr North who wants a job to get one, no matter what barriers and challenges they will need to overcome on the way to achieving this goal.
“We also need to recognise the impact of the ‘benefits trap’. When a person who is unemployed finds a job, often this results in a marginal tax rate of 95%. This means that for every extra pound they earn, 95 pence is clawed back in lost benefits and increased living costs. The Economy Theme Group established by the Ayr North Social Inclusion Partnership (ANSIP) is looking at local responses to this.”
Chairman
Access North Ayr chairman Macdonald Ure commented: “All of us at Access North Ayr are acutely aware that our funding is due to be reduced over the next few years. However we are all exerting every possible effort to increase our income from commercial activities to more than compensate for this.
“I am certain that if we all continue to work together, in the way that we have already shown that we can, Access North Ayr will stride from strength to strength in our pursuit of more economic regeneration and social inclusion for our local community.”
Success story
Over 1,500 local residents over the years have taken advantage of Access North Ayr’s support to find either a first job, or a better job if they were already employed. One success story amongst so many is that of William Boyle, who spoke today of what he has achieved, and how Access North Ayr has played a part in that success.
William Boyle said: “Before joining Access North Ayr in February 2003, I had previously worked as a removals man for 11 years. Due to ill health I was forced to resign from that job, and thought my working days were over, as I had little or no experience in any other field. The staff at ANA were terrific in helping me to regain my confidence, and guiding me with their expertise in jobsearch and interview techniques. Following 12 months on a training programme, during which I gained an SVQ in IT Systems, plus certificates in First Aid, Quad Bike Instructing, PAT Testing and minibus driving, ANA secured for me a job placement with a local tenancy support firm that later led to full-time employment. In short, ANA have given me a new lease of life, and I fully encourage anyone who thinks as I did to get in touch with ANA at the John Pollock Centre, and have a look at what’s available. The help and the opportunities are there.”
A further selection of success stories are available on request.
Access North Ayr
Access North Ayr was formed in the autumn of 1998, and aims to improve access to job opportunities for all residents of the North Ayr Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) who are either currently involved in, or wish to join the labour market, by developing the necessary skills and other personal qualities.
Access North Ayr carries out this aim through the provision of relevant vocational guidance, training, work experience, childcare and other appropriate support.
This brings economic benefit not only to these individuals and their families, but also to North Ayr as a whole.
Working with its partners, the Ayr North Social Inclusion Partnership, South Ayrshire Council, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, the JobCentre, Colleges and the local community, ANA is making a key contribution to building a better future for Ayr North.
Access North Ayr covers the districts of Whitletts, Braehead, Dalmilling and Lochside.
Website:
www.anayr.org.uk
Issued on behalf of Access North Ayr by Fame Publicity Services. Contact Murdoch MacDonald. Telephone: +44 (0)1292 281498.
Photographs available on request.
Bill Munsie
Chief Executive
Access North Ayr
John Pollock Centre
Mainholm Community Campus
Mainholm Road
AYR KA8 0QD
Telephone: +44 (0)1292 294311
Fax: +44 (0)1292 294314
E-mail: bmunsie@anayr.org.uk
Fame Publicity Services
10 Miller Road
AYR, Ayrshire
Scotland KA7 2AY
Telephone: +44 (0)1292 281498
E-mail: FamePublicity@aol.com
Web links: |
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Protecting the planet - Scottish charity leads the way |
Access North Ayr, a Scottish charity specialising in local economic regeneration and employment training, has announced an exciting new venture that will create new jobs at the same time as helping to protect the environment. Access North Ayr, a Scottish charity specialising in local economic regeneration and employment training, has announced an exciting new venture that will create new jobs at the same time as helping to protect the environment.
The European Commission, in partnership the with UK government, is set to enforce new regulations regarding the disposal of electrical and electronic equipment. These regulations are known as the WEEE directive.
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive sets targets for companies and organisations to avoid sending all electrical/electronic equipment to landfill by 2006, with systems to be in place by next year.
No longer is it acceptable or environmentally friendly to leave electrical equipment buried away, left to be dealt with by the next generation.
Sophisticated destruction techniques would be one answer. But Access North Ayr is aiding organisations and companies to comply with the directive by uplifting and refurbishing equipment for re-use, and at the same time creating new jobs in North Ayr.
Access North Ayr is a SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) approved organisation. It is a community enterprise that runs a not-for- profit service, uplifting everything from IT equipment to fridges, cookers and washing machines.
IT equipment is refurbished and re-used by the voluntary sector, with long-term unemployed adults being given PCs to improve their IT literacy and their job prospects.
Some IT equipment such as PCs, monitors and servers are sold to small businesses, creating an income for Access North Ayr which goes to support adult literacy and numeracy projects.
Local authorities, public bodies and major organisations are set to use this new service, called TRASH I.T., not only supporting the ‘green’ ethos, but also getting unemployed people back into gainful employment.
The voluntary sector, who possibly couldn’t afford state-of-the-art computers, can also benefit from the factory-standard refurbished computers supplied by Access North Ayr.
Access North Ayr business development manager Ian MacMaster said: “Anybody looking to trade up to a designer kitchen and who would like others to benefit form their old appliances, as well as organisations replacing their existing IT infrastructure, should contact Access North Ayr. We will help them to dispose of their old equipment in full compliance with the WEEE directive, as well as helping to save the planet!”
Access North Ayr
Access North Ayr was formed in the autumn of 1998, and aims to improve access to job opportunities for all residents of the North Ayr Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) who are either currently involved in, or wish to join the labour market, by developing the necessary skills and other personal qualities.
Access North Ayr carries out this aim through the provision of relevant vocational guidance, training, work experience, childcare and other appropriate support.
This brings economic benefit not only to these individuals and their families, but also to North Ayr as a whole.
Website:
www.anayr.org.uk
Issued on behalf of Access North Ayr by Fame Publicity Services. Contact Murdoch MacDonald. Telephone: +44 (0)1292 281498.
Chief Executive
Access North Ayr
John Pollock Centre
Mainholm Community Campus
Mainholm Road
AYR, Ayrshire
Scotland UK
KA8 0QD
Telephone: +44(0)1292 294311
E-mail: bmunsie@anayr.org.uk
Fame Publicity Services
10 Miller Road
AYR, Ayrshire
Scotland KA7 2AY
Telephone: +44 (0)1292 281498.
E-mail: MurdochMacDonald@aol.com
Website: www.famepublicity.co.uk
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Access North Ayr appoints Jim Hendry as its new chairman |
SCOTTISH economic regeneration and employment training charity Access North Ayr announce the appointment of Jim Hendry as it’s new chairman.
Jim told our reporter: “I am delighted to become chairman of Access North Ayr at this exciting time, when we are all exerting every effort to move from being a predominantly public-funded organisation to one that is largely self-supporting through our own commercial activities.
“Working with our partners, the Ayr North Social Inclusion Partnership, South Ayrshire Council, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, the JobCentre, Colleges and the local community, Access North Ayr is making a key contribution to building a better future for Ayr North.”
Jim is already an active figure locally.
He is vice-convener of the Ayr North Social Inclusion Partnership (ANSIP) board, and recently came up with the Passport to Health Initiative, and has plans for a well-being centre well under way. He chairs the Caring Theme Croup and is vice-chair of the national Scottish Partnership Representatives Network and is also a member of the Ayr North Community Forum Management Committee.
In addition to this, Jim is chairman of the South Ayrshire Tenants Group, board member of Metier North Ayr and serves as a member of the ANSIP Finance Committee, the ANSIP Pre-Agenda Group, the Ayr North Development Fund, Ayrshire Key Fund where he also serves on the West of Scotland Key Fund. Jim is also a member of the Community Planning Partnership Social and Economic Theme Group, North Ayr Community Forum Finance Sub Group, Access North Ayr Finance Sub Group, the Housing Conference Working Group and the Housing Repairs Sub Group.
He joked: “Sometimes I look at my diary and wonder where I might find a wee white space in to which to fit some spare time! But don’t get me wrong, I love being active and I am totally committed to making sure that Ayr North is represented as widely as possible, since that way we will be included in planning in order to equalise local opportunities with the rest of South Ayrshire.”
Access North Ayr also announce the departure of former chief executive Bill Munsie, who has left to take up a new post as managing director of the Greater Pollok Development Company.
Jim Hendry concluded: “I would like to thank Bill Munsie for his efforts on behalf of Access North Ayr and wish him well in his new post.”
Access North Ayr
Access North Ayr was formed in the autumn of 1998, and aims to improve access to job opportunities for all residents of the North Ayr Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) who are either currently involved in, or wish to join the labour market, by developing the necessary skills and other personal qualities.
Access North Ayr carries out this aim through the provision of relevant vocational guidance, training, work experience, childcare and other appropriate support.
This brings economic benefit not only to these individuals and their families, but also to North Ayr as a whole.
Working with its partners, the Ayr North Social Inclusion Partnership, South Ayrshire Council, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, the JobCentre, Colleges and the local community, ANA is making a key contribution to building a better future for Ayr North.
In its latest financial year 2003/4 Access North Ayr helped 157 people in North Ayr to find a job, 65 to gain an SVQ. In addition, 366 people actively took advantage of the facilities in ANA’s Flexible Learning Centre, which this year gained Learndirect Scotland accreditation.
Access North Ayr covers the districts of Whitletts, Braehead, Dalmilling and Lochside.
Issued on behalf of Access North Ayr by Fame Publicity Services. Contact Murdoch MacDonald, telephone 07833 667322.
Jim Hendry
Chairman
Access North Ayr
John Pollock Centre
Mainholm Community Campus
Mainholm Road
AYR KA8 0QD
Telephone: +44 (0)1292 294311
Fax: +44 (0)1292 294314
Website:
www.anayr.org.uk
Web links: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/10/prweb169524.htm http://www.pressbox.co.uk/Detailed/19112.html http://www.pressbox.co.uk/Detailed/17003.html
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/8/prweb151087.htm
http://www.pr-scotland.com/releases/040823-02.htm
http://www.pressbox.co.uk/Detailed/16918.html
http://www.pr-scotland.com/releases/040301-02.htm
http://www.pr-scotland.com/releases/040219-03.htm
http://www.pr-scotland.com/releases/040319-01.htm
http://www.pr-scotland.com/releases/040526-14.htm
http://www.pr-scotland.com/releases/040812-01.htm
http://www.pressbox.co.uk/Detailed/15297.html
http://www.pressbox.co.uk/Detailed/16658.html
Fame Publicity Services
10 Miller Road
AYR, Ayrshire
Scotland
KA7 2AY
Telephone: +44 (0)1292 281498
E-mail: famepublicity@aol.com
Website: http://www.famepublicity.co.uk
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Access North Ayr appoints new chief executive |
Scottish economic regeneration and employment training charity Access North Ayr has appointed John Reid as its new chief executive.
John (39) was previously Project Manager with ProsPects for Employment in Cambuslang. ProsPects for Employment provides support and services to assist out of work clients in the Cambuslang and Rutherglen area into employment. Services include Training for Employment, CV service and Advice on Employment.
John was responsible for the development and the day-to-day management of ProsPects for Employment and Cambuslang Training and Enterprise Centre (CTEC) activities, with annual turnover of £1.3 million and the managing of 25 members of staff. ProsPects for Employment has double the job outcomes of any other provider in the Lanarkshire area.
Previously John worked for the Scottish Association for Mental Health and the Strathkelvin Enterprise Trust. He holds a BA (Hons) in Social Science, and Diploma in Adult Education.
Access North Ayr chairman Jim Hendry said: “We are delighted to welcome John Reid as our new chief executive. This is a challenging and exciting time in our mission to bring greater economic and social inclusion to North Ayr.
“We are all exerting every effort to move from being a predominantly public-funded organisation to one that is largely self-supporting through our own commercial activities.
“Working with our partners, the Ayr North Social Inclusion Partnership, South Ayrshire Council, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, the JobCentre, Colleges and the local community, Access North Ayr is making a key contribution to building a better future for Ayr North.”
Access North Ayr Access North Ayr was formed in the autumn of 1998, and aims to improve access to job opportunities for all residents of the North Ayr Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) who are either currently involved in, or wish to join the labour market, by developing the necessary skills and other personal qualities. Access North Ayr carries out this aim through the provision of relevant vocational guidance, training, work experience, childcare and other appropriate support. This brings economic benefit not only to these individuals and their families, but also to North Ayr as a whole. Working with its partners, the Ayr North Social Inclusion Partnership, South Ayrshire Council, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, the JobCentre, Colleges and the local community, ANA is making a key contribution to building a better future for Ayr North. In its latest financial year 2003/4 Access North Ayr helped 133 people in North Ayr to find a job, 65 to gain an SVQ, and 14 to progress into Further or Higher Education. In addition, 366 people actively took advantage of the facilities in ANA’s Flexible Learning Centre, which last year gained Learndirect Scotland accreditation. Access North Ayr covers the districts of Whitletts, Braehead, Dalmilling and Lochside. Issued on behalf of Access North Ayr by Fame Publicity Services. Contact Murdoch MacDonald, telephone 07833 667322. Jim Hendry Chairman Access North Ayr John Pollock Centre Mainholm Community Campus Mainholm Road AYR KA8 0QD Telephone: +44 (0)1292 294311 Fax: +44 (0)1292 294314 Website: www.anayr.org.uk Web link: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/1/prweb197841.htm Fame Publicity Services
10 Miller Road
AYR, Ayrshire
Scotland
KA7 2AY
Telephone: +44 (0)1292 281498
E-mail: famepublicity@aol.com
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