In spite of the recession, between April 2009 and March 2010 46% of candidates starting programmes at Finchale progressed to employment of more than 16 hrs a week. The impact on those individuals, their partners and their families has been incalculable. As one candidate commented:

‘After having to leave work due to medical problems, I felt as though I had been placed on the scrapheap at the age of 36. Not having a job had a devastating effect on both me and the people that depended on me. I tried various options, but nothing seemed to work, so that not only did my health deteriorate even further, but I lost all confidence in myself. I couldn’t go back to my old job and I wasn’t qualified to pick up on a new career. I was stuck, and the longer it went on the worse it got. It was only after I came to the College that I realised I did have something to offer a potential employer. Even just to get back into meeting other people again is an antidepressant in itself. The training gave me new hope and the skills and qualifications I needed to impress an employer. I started work on 1 September’.

Employers have also been delighted with their new employees.

“The CPS has worked with Finchale College for the last six or seven years and we have been very impressed with the standard of candidates supplied as work placements. We have found Finchale’s candidates to be keen and willing to learn. They get on well with the staff and their maturity means they have done a variety of other things in their life so they can bring more to the role. Our experience with Finchale has been very good in every respect.”

Crown Prosecution Service.

“We’ve worked with Finchale to find colleagues for several new store openings. We’ve also used them to license fork lift drivers who were already on the team. Finchale worked with us to find the right people amidst the pressure of planning a store opening. We now have a hassle free partnership which has proved a good recipe for success.”

ASDA.