Barclays has provided funding for the Jersey Employment Trust (JET) to refurbish its Job Club.
Job Club is an initiative organized by JET to help people with a disability or long-term health condition find work. It is run at JET’s Oakfield and Kensington Buildings four times a week. Islanders can join an informal session with staff and receive assistance in writing letters, filling in applications and making telephone calls.
The Club also helps people access job information and resources, such as newspapers, periodicals, free internet and telephones. JET provides clients with the support that they require to use the ICT facilities which include a range of specialist assistive technologies such as screen reading and voice recognition software, adapted mouse and ergonomic keyboards.
Jocelyn Butterworth, JET’s executive officer said: “The refurbishment has made the space fit for purpose and ensured our visitors will have access to the tools they need to explore job opportunities and work on improving their CVs, interview techniques and confidence. We’re very grateful to Barclays for their support.”
Managing director for Barclays in Jersey Paul Savery said: “The Job Club is a fantastic programme and of real benefit to people in Jersey. We’re pleased to support efforts to provide access to employment for as many islanders as possible. We are passionate about creating opportunities which ensure that everyone in our community has the skills they need to enter the world of work.”
A member of the Job Club, who wishes to stay anonymous, said: “It’s been a huge help for me to have part of my course funded as I would have struggled to find the money to pay for the course each month. It’s given me a chance to develop new skills, as well as gain a qualification – this has allowed me to progress my career but still be able to look after and provide for my children, which is important to me as a mum.
“I wouldn’t have been able to go back to college without some help, especially as I am dyslexic and find study difficult at times, so doing this has been a huge confidence boost for me. I have passed all my assessments so far and really feel like I am on the right career path now.”
In addition to the refurbishment of the Job Club, Barclays provided JET with the credit facility for the development of the Acorn Reuse Centre which has now been open for one year. The Bank also donated new equipment including electronic work benches and perching stools. Volunteers from Barclays have also led workshops on employability and digital skills for people seeking employment via JET.
Janine, who attends project sessions at Acorn, said: “I love coming up to Acorn. Monday mornings we design small wooden gifts, I have a four-legged perching stool which is perfect for my needs as it can be easily pushed under the table when I am moving around the class, getting paints and brushes, etc.
“Tuesday mornings is textiles class. I have a three-legged perching stool, which can easily be moved around from the table to where the sewing machine is, it can be pushed away under the table when I’m moving around the room collecting cottons, materials and other items.”
More information can be found on the Jersey Employment Trust and Acorn Reuse Centre websites.
JET – https://www.jet.co.je/
Acorn ReUse Centre – https://www.acorn.co.je/
