Support Employment Programme

Big-hearted St Mirren have come to the rescue of groups of unemployed people by giving them a helping hand in their quest for new skills.

 

And, thanks to the efforts of the coaches at Greenhill Road, there is every chance many of them with be able to make a successful return to the workplace or pursue an academic career.

 

The SPL club has thrown its weight behind a pioneering scheme called The Support Employment Project, which is organised and run in partnership with St Mirren, Careers Scotland, Jobcentre Plus and Reid Kerr College.

 

Participants spend 10 weeks as part of a team at the club where they develop skills to help them get back to work or into further education or training.

 

And Saints brought in a group of new recruits and put them through a 10-week training course with the aim of getting them match-fit for just that purpose.

 

The good news is that the results have been phenomenal, with the team passing their assessments with flying colours and receiving a certificate for their efforts.

 

St Mirren General Manager Brian Caldwell said: "We have been actively involved in the Support Employment initiative for a number of years now and the results have been very successful, with more than 70 per cent of the participants either finding a full time job, additional training, or a further education course. It's great for the club to be involved in something that can help the local community."

 

Organisations like Careers Scotland, Jobcentre Plus and Reid Kerr College swing into action after the graduation and attempt to get the students into further education or work.

 

Reid Kerr also helped organise a First Aid and IT course for the participants during their time at St Mirren Park.

Anyone aged between 16 and 65 is eligible to take part in the 10-week course which is designed to improve students' confidence, people skills and team-working ability in the process.

It's not the first time that Saints have thrown their weight behind the scheme and the club is expected to enrol a new batch of Support Employment trainees later on in the year.

 

The scheme is also expected to be widened with students from the West Dunbartonshire area participating.

Old Firm giants Celtic and Rangers are also behind the scheme and they too have reported encouraging numbers of people going on to bigger and better things.

 

If you are interested in taking part in future Sports Employment projects, ask for information at your local Careers Scotland office or Jobcentre Plus.

 

Courtesy of the Paisley Daily Express

The Support Employment Programme is a partnership involving St Mirren Football Club, Skills Development Scotland and Job Centre Plus.

 

The aim of the project is to contribute to a Renfrewshire where the "Long Term Unemployed" have an opportunity to develop their skills through a personal training programme using football as a vehicle to motivate and equip those attending with the skills necessary to make them employable.

 

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to assist with the practical component of this excellent project. The above partners involved in the delivery of the project recognise the importance football can have and its capacity for developing and contributing to the interpersonal skills of those attending.

Football is a team game that requires self-discipline, respect, cooperation and above all teamwork.

These skills, when running in parallel with the training programme, can assist adults to make positive life decisions and changes, be assertive and be proud of who they are.

 

The project also provides a unique opportunity for those involved to; work together develop their skills, learn more about sport, how it can influence their lives and contribute to their health and well being.

This innovative initiative provides a healthy, exciting and stimulating experience for those attending.

 

The project will also improve self-esteem and confidence, develop team building skills and enhance their job opportunities.

The aims and objectives are to assist trainees on the ten week course to become job ready with the skills and abilities necessary to secure suitable sustainable employment using football to help develop existing soft skills and competencies with new ones being introduced throughout the course.

 

When they come into St Mirren Park there are learning work shops they will attend with representatives from various work places that will be able to give them an idea of possible career path ways.

The participants are also given information on diet and nutrition and encouraged to live a healthy life style. St Mirren FC, Skills Development Scotland and Job Centre Plus see this as being one of the main benefits for participants to take with them in to the work place.

 

Throughout the last two years 70% of the participants have gained full time employment or entered further education. With one particular success story one participant gained full time status with St Mirren Football Club as the first team kit man and community coach.

 

For more information on the Support Employment programme, contact your local job centre or careers office.