Richmond poppy factory launches job finding scheme for soldiers
8:00am Wednesday 29th June 2011 in News By Christine Fleming
Helping out: Hopefully, hundreds will be found new jobs
Hundreds of wounded, sick and injured ex-servicemen and women will receive a helping hand getting back into employment, after the Richmond-based Poppy Factory officially launched a new job finding scheme.
The supported employment scheme, expected to cost £4m, aims to see the charitable organisation place 500 ex-personnel into civilian work over the next five years as part of a trailblazing job drive.
Melanie Waters, the Poppy Factory’s chief executive, said the project was a chance to expand the charity’s purpose of creating employment for ex-service personnel on a larger scale.
She said: “We match the employer and potential employee and in some cases offer some funding to help them back on the ladder in employment [in everything from] charities to small businesses, local authorities to corporate employers.
“Employers get a great employee with great transferable skills and work ethic who can work independently and tend to be efficient, work very well with others and are great leaders.”
Sixty-three people have already been placed in jobs through a four-year pilot of the scheme, with both employer and employee being given continued guidance after the placement to ensure the veteran’s smooth transition back into mainstream work.
With a tagline of “getting you back to work” the employment scheme focuses on finding the right jobs for people in locations they want to be.
Mrs Waters added: “Many [veterans] have qualifications that are invaluable for companies today. However, an injury or delayed illness can shatter their lives.
“We want to help them regain their self-respect and confidence in order to earn a living, so that they can feel a valuable member of society again.”
The plans for getting veterans back into employment were revealed on Tuesday, June 14, at the official launch of the supported employment scheme.
The Poppy Factory, set up in 1922, pledged support after recent figures showed medical discharges from Her Majesty’s forces were expected to reach 750 annually, and thousands more veterans would become ill after being discharged.
Funding for the scheme will come from donations and the charity’s own funds.
To support the project call 020 8940 3305 or email events@poppyfactory.org.
