New Pioneer success with Blue Pits Housing Action

Vicky Chanter, Silvania Cassandra and Daisy Silva

A care assistant is celebrating employment success after landing a job after taking part in a programme funded by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.

Silvanya Cassandra is now a care assistant at Blue Pits Housing Action where she completed a work placement as part of the New Pioneers programme, which supports residents who live on College Bank and Lower Falinge to improve skills, training and get into volunteering/employment.

Alongside her placement, Silvanya also achieved a level 2 health care diploma with Rochdale Training.

She said: “The voluntary work placement has helped improve my confidence, while gaining an accredited qualification. Thank you to the New Pioneer programme for introducing me to this employer.

“The team at Blue Pits Housing have been very supportive and I’m looking forward to starting employment with them.  I would recommend volunteering and the New Pioneers to anyone who wants to brush up on new skills for daily life or take the first steps into your dream job.”

Vicky Chanter, registered manager at Blue Pits Housing Action, said: “We have found Silvanya to be professional, committed, reliable, caring and open to learning new skills.

“Silvanya has made such an impact on our service; she has now secured employment with us.”

Rochdale Training tutor, Vicki Spencer said: "Silvanya has been one of the best students I have ever had, an absolute pleasure to teach and completed the level 2 health care diploma ahead of time in six months. I am very proud of her achievement.”

Lead career broker for the New Pioneers group, Daisy Silva said: “Silvanya Cassandra has been part of the Pioneer Project since September 2019. Silvanya is one of the most committed people I know; her enthusiasm and drive is contagious and inspiring.

“Silvanya is an incredibly hard worker and I am certain that she will achieve her life ambitions with determination and courage.”

Funded courses are available for employed and unemployed residents across Greater Manchester. Contact Rochdale Training for further details: marketing@rochdaletraining.co.uk