Last week, Ealing Council launched its Plan for Good Jobs initiative, which is the council’s commitment to helping the borough recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.

“It is about supporting those who have been the hardest hit in our borough,” said Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes.

Recognising that many in the borough have been some of the hardest hit residents across London, with job losses at Heathrow Airport and those businesses that support it, it comes at no surprise that many of those affected will be in a position of wondering how to retrain and upskill in new areas of employment.

But knowing the best route to take is often one of the first challenges along this road.

Councillor Mahfouz said: “We’ve made a commitment to introduce a ‘single door approach’, to help residents find an easier route in their search for work, or for how to upskill, or retrain for growth sector jobs including in the green economy, health and social care, and the creative and digital industries.”

The Good Jobs initiative is about making it easier for residents to find work in, and develop their skills for, up and coming industries that are more resistant to future economic shocks of the scale and magnitude of COVID-19.

“Our Ealing Work West service offers online employment and training support to residents and tailored recruitment support for businesses,” said Councillor Mahfouz.

“And, as of May this year, we have helped more than 500 out-of-work residents to find jobs.

“Whilst helping to transform their lives, we want to continue this process, I say to anyone who has been affected – we’re here to help, you’re not alone – find out more.”

You can visit the Work Ealing website for details of local vacancies, training opportunities and apprenticeships.

Taking the right course

The council’s Learn Ealing service recently published its new prospectus for 2021/22 to help people get started with learning new skills.

Whether you want to improve your maths and English, learn how to use computers, take the first step into social care or business administration or do something creative with your time, Learn Ealing has a course or workshop just for you.

Many courses are free, and you can learn online, face to face or a combination of both.

Last year, the service ran more than 350 courses and workshops to around 2,690 people.

As part of the council’s Good Jobs plan, there are now more courses aimed at learners and qualified practitioners who would like to develop their personal and professional skills for their current job or  for a new enterprise. Subjects range from marketing for small and starter businesses, to longer accredited courses such as health and social care, management skills, coding, cyber security, counselling, customer service, business administration and supporting teaching and learning.

To find out more visit Learn Ealing website.