Home Secretary Alan Johnson MP opens new Employability Skills Programme offices in Hull

On Friday 27 November Home Secretary Alan Johnson MP opened the new igen - Future Pathways offices at Dunedin House, Hull and met with learners who have gained Literacy and Numeracy qualifications with help from Future Pathways.

The Employability Skills Programme is a Government Initiative funded by the Learning and Skills Council aimed at adults who are unemployed and need help to improve their Maths and English skills. The training; which is delivered by igen - Future Pathways in Hull and other partners across the Humber area, also provides support for learners to update their employability skills and help them move towards future employment.

Future Pathways provides a range of services across Hull to help those who are unemployed to gain new skills, plan their careers, update CVs and support them in applying for jobs.Since 2004 when igen – Future Pathways started work in the Humber area nearly 40,000 people have been helped to improve their job prospects.This work has been carried out by the skilled staff at igen - Future Pathways and those of their partners across the subregion. The new offices at Dunedin House, Percy Street will enable more people to access the Employability Skills Programme, improve their qualifications and move towards employment.

Alan Johnson, MP for Hull West and Hessle stressed the importance of education specifically maths and English in the current demanding job market and spent time talking to the learners about their plans for the future.

Steve Higginbotham, igen Chief Executive said:

“We were very pleased to welcome the Home Secretary to our offices to see the great work that is happening in his constituency. We have been privileged to hear a senior member of Government outline the Government’s strong commitment to and record investment in skills development and additional support services for young people and adults seeking employment.

“The key to the expansion of igen and the quality of our services is our strong management team, enthusiastic and highly skilled staff and strong partnerships locally and sub-regionally. We look forward to continuing our work with the community in Hull and enabling people to develop their skills and access support to find employment

The new offices at Dunedin House, Percy Street will enable more people in Hull to access the service to develop their skills and enhance their employment opportunities. Further information is available by phoning 01482 319 769. Future Pathways is a trading name of igen ltd which is a subsidiary of the igen Trust, a charity dedicated to the alleviation of unemployment in the communities that we serve.A key way that we undertake this is by investing in high quality services and facilities in local communities.

At the opening of Dunedin House, Hull Alan Johnson MP is presented with a card made by the learners currently studying on igen – future pathway’s Employability Skills Programme. David Wilson and Phillip Hope presented the card on behalf of their fellow learners.