On Wednesday 21st January 2015, Worcester Evening News contained an article concerning the poor outcome from a recent Ofsted inspection of Worcestershire County Council learning programme for 16-18 year olds.
In the story, Vestia Community Trust was mentioned incorrectly as one of the providers. Vestia only delivers training programmes for young adults and Ofsted had noted that community and learning programmes for those aged above 19 were 'good'.
Vestia has secured funding from a number of different partners including The Community Housing Group, Heart of Worcestershire College, Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council to deliver a program to help young adults into employment. The young adults are referred to Vestia by the local Job Centre or approach us directly for help.
They attend a training program that includes interview skills, CV writing, team work, personal skills and a work placement, often where there is a job outcome.
In the last year Vestia have trained over 100 young people, with all securing a Level 1 Employability qualification and just under 50% have successfully secured paid employment.
Vikki Greenfield, Head of Learning and Development at Vestia commented: "Our performance in helping young people into employment is much higher than national figures for similar programs. This is a result of us working with small groups with tailor made packages of support and close working with potential employers who offer our learners meaningful work placements. This is possible as a result of the funding from all our partners, whom we greatly value".
Many of the young people Vestia train, go on to work within The Community Housing Group which Vestia is part of. They have secured employment in their Finance, HR and IT teams, and many more have started as Apprentices in Oakleaf Commercial Services in grounds maintenance, plumbing, bricklaying and carpentry.
Keith Burgess, Executive Manager with Oakleaf commented: "Through Vestia, we are recruiting the next generation of skilled labour, able to provide our clients with first class service to our customers".
Read the response to the original story here:
