CONEL Principal and Chief Executive Paul Head and Tottenham MP David Lammy at CONEL’s new skills, employment and training service. 

David Lammy has opened a new service here at CONEL, which aims to help people who have recently lost their jobs during the current economic downturn. The launch took place in the Advice and Guidance Centre at the College on Friday 13th February. 

“We have always offered training courses to unemployed people”, said College Principal Paul Head, “but at a time of recession like this public organisations need to think what else they can do to support their local communities”. The new service is for people who have recently lost their jobs and want to get back into work as soon as possible. It will also help those who fear they might be in danger of losing their jobs.

The new service emphasises the fact that local job seekers may need a network of services to help them back to work. People visiting the college will find a friendly welcome and be guided to a new bank of computers loaded with job seeking software and specially selected employment web sites. They can work through materials that help improve their CVs and print off job offers. The College will also post any job applications they make.

Visitors will also be offered free one to one sessions with experts in both training and careers. This reflects the Government’s desire to link training and employment much more closely in the future. The Centre expects to welcome a range of different people, from those who know they need some new skills to find a job to those who just want to get straight back to work.

We are also planning a series of free workshops led by employers, Job Centre Plus, careers advisors and employability specialists who can help with CV writing; filling out applications and interview skills.

David Lammy commented: “I am delighted to be asked to officially open the new facilities and services at the college which will provide support to all those in Tottenham affected by the economic downturn. As always, CONEL is working with employers and the community to train and support people to deal with the current employment challenges."

Once an unemployed person has got a job the College can still support them through its successful Train to Gain programme. By following this route people can continue with training even though they are working, and so develop wider career choices for the future.

Immediately after the launch, Mr Lammy joined CONEL staff and governors at a celebration of our newest award, which recognises us as a top quality ‘Beacon College’ – one of the best in the country.