Aims

The STRIVE (Support and Training Results in Valuable Employees) project is a new and innovative programme to help unemployed disadvantaged individuals into employment. Originally developed in New York in 1985 the project has expanded into a nation wide network of over 22 cities in the US. STRIVE was brought to the UK in 1999, and is delivered through a franchising arrangement by Local Employment Access Projects (LEAP) in London.

The main component of the project is a three week intensive “job readiness” programme that focuses on the all important soft skills that are needed to succeed in the world of work. On completion of the workshop candidates are linked to a Job Support Officer who will provide them with intensive one to one support and guidance in their attempts to secure employment.

Responsibility to the candidates does not end when they find employment. Further support in the form of an aftercare service is provided for at least two years to help with any problems in successfully adjusting to the demands of the workplace. In Summary the main objectives of the STRIVE project are:

• To “empower” participants and develop the soft skills, the attitudes and behaviours, that employers in the job market are seeking
• To promote “real jobs” which would motivate those who were sceptical about compulsory employment schemes, and those who had been unsuccessful in the past
• To provide a service that would improve job retention, so that those who were placed in jobs would be able to use them as a springboard into continuous sustainable employment.

The operation will be project managed by The Lennox Partnership, but will have its own identity, promoting the concept of something that is new and a different provision for the Dunbartonshire area.

Funders
The Lennox Partnership is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Equal
Jobcentre Plus
Communities Scotland
West Dunbartonshire Partnership
Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire
The Lennox Partnership

Testimonials

“Before going on the Strive course I hadn’t had full-time paid employment for twenty years. Having gained my Child Development Higher, I then registered for Strive. Initially I was lacking in confidence and was very worried about application forms and job interviews. I found the Strive workshop very worthwhile. It has changed the way I look at things, even if I have negative thoughts, I now find that I can turn them into positive thoughts; this is something that was not possible for me to do before the course. Strive has also given me the interview techniques that are needed in today’s world. The workshop environment was very good; everyone helped and supported each other, working as a team to overcome hurdles. I strongly believe that the job I have now, working with children with disabilities, is due to Strive’s hard work and constant support. They have given me confidence to perform at interview and the determination to succeed on my part. I am a more focussed person now than before.”
Veronica Smith, STRIVE Graduate

“The Strive workshop was invaluable to me. It provided me with the confidence and Jobsearch skills to move into work. After 4 years of being unemployed I am now working, as a Supervisor, with a local retail outlet and have got my career back on track. I would like to thank the STRIVE team for all of their support and encouragement"
Angela McLachlan, STRIVE Graduate

Contact Details

Elaine Crawford

Email: elaine.crawford@strive-dunbartonshire.org
Tel.: 0141 951 6450
Fax: 0141 951 6451
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