Groundwork recruiting graduates

L-R: current graduate volunteers Felicity Hunt, Kavita Shah and Jan Slominski.

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Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale are looking for local graduates to join their v challenge programme, a 13-week scheme that gives project management skills in turn boosting employability.

The rise of unemployment during the recession has caused concern amongst graduates and has inevitably affected their ability to climb the career ladder when leaving university. However, Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale is helping to break the cycle of having no experience, by helping graduates gain employment through obtaining relevant skills.

As part of v challenge, graduates take ownership of a number of community projects that benefit people in Rochdale. Recent graduates have delivered the Heywood Skills Project, which has increased learning and training opportunities for Heywood residents.

James Ferguson, v project manager at Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale said: “The success of v challenge is giving local young people the chance to gain project management experience, through community projects for the benefit of both them and the people of Oldham and Rochdale.”

As well as using the skills gained at university, graduates gain the knowledge and experience of real projects. V challenge has helped volunteers to find employment and some are now working within Groundwork.

Local graduate Felicity Hunt (23) from Thornham, Rochdale is a current volunteer on the v challenge scheme. She feels her teamwork and organisational skills have been greatly improved whilst taking part in the scheme. This valuable experience has resulted in her obtaining a permanent job at Groundwork as an Employability Skills Tutor.

Felicity, v challenge volunteer, said: “v challenge helped me to get my foot in the door at Groundwork, an organisation where I have wanted to work since my previous voluntary placement here. V challenge helped me find a career path, as I did not have a clear direction after university.”

Since 1993 Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale has helped over 1000 graduates gain employment. Having run this scheme successfully, Groundwork aims to offer a greater range of experiences, to help graduates build on their existing skills and open the door to potential employers.

The closing date for applications is 30th November 2009 for placements starting on 18th January 2010. Placements will also run in June and September next year. The v challenge team will be distributing flyers about the placement outside Central Mosque on Mere Street, off Tweedale Street in Rochdale, on 27th November 2009 from 1:15pm to 2:00pm. For more information please call James Ferguson on 0161 624 1444 or visit the Groundwork website for more details.