Community Task Force

The Community Task Force is a programme to support the young people of our communities. Funded by the Central Government, Community Task Force is aimed at young people aged 18-24 who have been unemployed for at least 6 months. Through this programme Groundwork provides a 13 week placement for young people. These placements can be of any work type, providing it is of benefit to our Community.

Young people are referred by their local Job Centre Plus with the aim of developing each individual so that they can increase their chances of finding and keeping a job. As well as worthwhile work experience Groundwork Merthyr & Rhondda Cynon Taff will provide a minimum of 5 hours intensive and extensive job search training and support every week.

So far the programme has benefited 863 clients and we have worked across R.C.T, Merthyr and Blaenau Gwent our statistics areas follows:-

External Placements- 178 placements from community organisations to private sector to outdoor contracts.

Number that have gone into employment- 102

Furthur Education- 29

Continued to Volunteer- 22

Acquired OCN Qualifications- 55

Private Sector Placements- 56

During our evaluation the figures show for themselves the achievements with:-

96.37% Satisfaction Rate

50% Better Health

93.98% Better confidence and social skills

Here are some of the clients that have benefited from the programme

Sam:-

Sams placement was with Leo's Play Den in Abertillery as a chef. Sam had no previous work history but attended college to train in catering and accomplished his food hygiene certificate.

The barriers that Sam overcame were:-

Lack of Confidence

Lack of Experience

Job Understanding

Sam also feels he has gained lasting friendships as well as the skills and understanding needed to pursue a career. Leo's Play Den has now employed Sam on a part time basis as an assistant chef, hopefully in the future there will be enough hours to employ him full time.

'I lacked confidence when I joined CTF and was placed with Leo's Play Den, I have been to college but needed the experience and CTF helped me to achieve this. I am happy that I have a job with Leo's Play Den and hope that I can eventually work more hours'

Elysa:-

Elysa who is from Aberdare had previously been a Teaching Assistant and she had undertaken training in Cache and Business Administration. Elysa couldn't decide what career direction to follow so when she came to Community Task Force she asked to find a placement either in a Creche or Office. She decided to opt for the office role and was later successful in securing a position here at Groundwork as a Placement Assistant supporting the Community Task Force Programme.

'I was unemployed and was looking for work experience so I put myself forward for the Community Task Force Programme where I gained valuable work skills on an administration position, while on the six month placement a more permanent job became available which I applied for and was successful. I feel that if I didn't join the Community Task Force Programme I would not have gained the skills I needed for the job'

Kayleigh:-

Kayleigh attended college after leaving school and achieved a NVQ Level 3 in Beauty Therapy and Hairdressing and a NVQ Level 3 in Customer Service. She has previously had jobs but had found it difficult to find a permanent position. Kayleigh's placement was in Abercwmboi Medical Practice. Her duties included full reception duties, answering the phone, booking appointments and filling in and writing prescriptions. Kayleigh then applied for the position of Assistant Placement Officer at Groundwork and was successful. Her duties included finding work placements, writing client reviews, tracking and interviewing clients. Being on the Community Task Force Programme has motivated Kayleigh into working again and refreshed skills that she had forgotten.

'As a result of being on the Community Task Force Programme I applied for a full time position at Groundwork as a CTF Assistant Placement Officer and I feel if it wasn't for the scheme I would still be unemployed. The job search sessions where beneficial to me as I gained strengths in subjects such as Interview Techniques, CV Layouts and Effective ways to search for jobs.'

Cae:-

By being on the CTF Programme Cae has gained huge confidence and it improved his customer service and social skills. Most of all he enjoyed learning new skills within the office and was grateful that he had the chance to experience what it was like to work in an office environment.

'I hope that these skills that I have learnt will help my CV stand out and get interviews. I will be continuing to work voluntarily at Hi! Help Inside after my placement is over. This is because I want to continue learning new skills and keep myself in a working routine.'

Stewart:-

Stewart had previously worked at Burger King and Asda but was looking to work as a driver. The Community Task Force Programme enabled him to obtain a placement as a Mini Bus Driver for a local community organisation taking people out on day trips etc. and driving the local people to events and even things like hospital appointments. The company invested money in training for Stewart and he gained confidence whilst driving all over South Wales. Once he finished his placement Stewart was successful in gaining a job driving for a local mini bus service.

'My work experience placement and training during my time on the CTF Programme directly led to me gaining employed.'

For more information please contact Bethan Smith on 01685 883880

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