GOOD JOBS
Right : Construction apprentice Sam Smith , who we featured in Around Ealing before
Working for you
Brexit , COVID-19 and unemployment – many of us have been through an awful lot in recent times . One of Ealing Council ’ s key priorities for the borough is creating good jobs – and it has a plan to help achieve that aim , reports Richard Bolton .
With an economy that is connected to Heathrow Airport and those businesses that support it , plus one of the highest furlough rates in the country , many communities in our borough are facing an uncertain future .
In the autumn , Ealing Council approved a new initiative to help the borough recover from the economic impact of the pandemic . It is called Ealing ’ s Plan for Good Jobs – and has been prepared to help residents and local businesses , as well as attract new investment into the borough .
For residents who have recently suffered a job loss or face an uncertain future in the job market , there is a renewed effort to help them to retrain or upskill in ‘ growth sector employment ’ – in industries that are more resistant to future economic shocks on the scale and magnitude of COVID-19 . This includes jobs in the green economy , health and social care and the creative and digital industries .
‘ WE ’ RE HERE TO HELP ’ “ It is about supporting those who have been the hardest hit in our borough ,” said Councillor Bassam Mahfouz , the council ’ s cabinet member for decent living incomes . “ We ’ ve made a commitment to help residents find an easier route in their search for work , or for how to upskill , or retrain . “ We have helped hundreds of out-of-work residents to find jobs over the last year and we want to continue this process . I say to anyone who has been affected – we ’ re here to help , you ’ re not alone – find out more .”
Left : Mohamed Abduranman ( who we previously featured in Around Ealing ) was helped to retrain
FINDING OUT MORE Over the following pages of this magazine , you can read about some of what is already taking place and how to get more information . But the aim is for this to just be the start .
For retraining and upskilling opportunities , you could take a look at Learn Ealing ’ s prospectus for 2021 / 22 . There are hundreds of courses and workshops – many of which are free – that can help you to become job-ready . The council ’ s Ealing Work West service offers online employment and training support ( see pages 18-19 – and , if you run a local business , the council can help you in your recruitment drive to source qualified candidates or an apprentice ( see pages 14-15 ) and develop an online presence and adapt to new ways of working ( see page 21 ). To read out more about the plan itself , visit www . ealing . gov . uk / goodjobs
10 around ealing Winter 2021
Left : Magdalena Rutkowska ( who we previously featured in Around Ealing ) received support to train as a childminder