There are a range of projects delivering skills based training and employment support, to assist people into work across the EASEL area. Support is available to help people overcome the barriers they face to employment and training.
Gipton Access Point (GAP Centre) - "Helping local people gain the skills for work"
Gipton Access Point (GAP Centre) opened this summer at the former South Gipton Housing Office on Coldcotes Drive.
The GAP Centre is a local information point where people can get information, advice and guidance on jobs, employment and training. It is managed by Leeds City Council, Jobs and Skills Service working in partnership with local organisations such as Learning Partnerships, GIPSIL, Thomas Danby College, Aire Valley Leeds, Leeds City Credit Union, Jobcentre Plus and East North East Homes Leeds.
If you are unemployed and:
- Thinking about a job?
- Not sure what you want to do?
- Not sure if you have the right skills?
- Need some help and support?
- Not sure where you can gain the skills?
Gipton Access Point can help you
- Access the Learning Zone to gain the right skills you need
- Support to find out what you want to do
- Offer information, advice and guidance (IAG)
- Help with preparing or updating a curriculum vitae (CV)
- Support with completing application forms
- Giving you the skills and confidence to apply for a job
- Linking you to local employers who are recruiting
- Supporting you through those first few months of work
Gipton Access Point is open to the public Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. 58 Coldcotes Drive, Gipton, Leeds LS9 6QG Telephone: 0113 2143274
Skills training and jobsearch
Learning Partnerships have secured a range of discretionary funding to deliver skills training (The Learning Zone) and Jobsearch activities (The JobZone) through the network of Jobshops, working in partnership with local organisations across the EASEL area.
If you would like to find out more information on the services drop into the Gipton Access Point or contact Learning partnerships on 0113 3806662.
Enterprise
Leeds City Council has successfully secured £15.6m of funding over the next three years as part of the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI). The programme aims to tackle worklessness and encourage enterprise in some of the most deprived areas of the city. The Leeds LEGI Programme ‘Sharing the Success’ is firmly focussed around a central element - five Catalyst Centres, which will provide a physical enterprise presence and a central and single access to enterprise for local residents.
What is a catalyst Centre?
When they are ready the the catalyst centres be a physical space for new entrepreneurs and allow them to network, share knowledge and trade with each other. They will form part of a larger centre which will house other facilities for the community e.g. meeting or conference rooms, office space, cafes, crèches etc. The Catalyst centres will offer easy-in, easy-out terms unlike other business accommodation in the city.
For more information visit the Leeds Catalyst website using the link on this page.
The WykeBECC (Built Environment and Catalyst Centre)
The WykeBECC (Built Environment and Catalyst Centre) project will be a 15,000 square foot centre in Seacroft, comprising of a catalyst centre and construction training facility. The facility will be managed by the Leeds College of Building in partnership with Construction Skills Learning Centre, David Young Community Academy and Construction Leeds. Planning approval was granted in November 2007 and building started shortly after. The facility is due to open in Spring 2008.
For more information on the East Leeds Basecamp contact Kristy on 07718982546 or 0870 851 8677 or visit the Leeds Catalyst website using the link on this page.
Shine – (former Harehills Middle School)
The Camberwell Project Ltd has received planning permission to convert the former Harehills Middle School into high quality business and enterprise centre. The project will regenerate the area and provide services for the benefit of the local community including a crèche and restaurant. The building will contain office space, conference facilities and a catalyst centre. It is estimated that construction will start on site by the end of the year.
For more information contact the Camberwell Project on 0870 8518677 or visit the Shine website using the link on this page
East Leeds Young Fire Fighters
During the summer two workshops at the rear of Gipton Fire Station were refurbished to create a new training centre for the Young Fire Fighters Schools Programme. Funding for the refurbishment was secured through the Leeds City Council - East Area Management, East North East Homes Leeds and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Year 10 students from David Young Community Academy, Temple Moor High School and John Smeaton Community College started their two year Level II BTEC in ‘Fire and Rescue Service in the Community’ in September this year. During the two years they will develop a wide range of knowledge and skills and engage in a variety of youth initiatives within the Fire and Rescue Sector.
There are twenty five subject areas covering such things as Health and Safety, Community Fire Safety, Effective Communication and Citizenship and Personal Responsibility. ‘Discipline’ and ‘Respect’ form the core of the overall course.
Martin Hoole (Young Fire Fighters Coordinator – West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service) says “ It is only with the development of multi agency partnerships that schemes like this one can succeed and contribute to a positive outcome for the benefit of all the community. “