A HOUSING association has helped five unemployed tenants polish up their skills and gain paid work after completing its first ever Cleaning Academy.

The project is funded by the North East Procurement and European Social Fund and run in-house by Coast and Country to help unemployed residents gain qualifications and experience that will help them secure employment.

The three-week accredited course aims to teach everything the modern cleaning professional needs to know and includes both practical and classroom-based learning.

One of the inaugural course’s success stories is Lynne Henderson from Teesville who has secured herself a part time job with a local pharmacy.

The 61-year-old said: “The Cleaning Academy from start to finish was great. It gave me so much more than I thought it could and then to gain a placement with Coast & Country at the end of it has topped off what was already such a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

“Everyone that was on the course gained so much, it was more than just cleaning – we gained skills, confidence, new friends, interview experience and even jobs at the end of it.”

Those who attend the Academy are taught skills such as self-marketing, interview technique and how to tailor their CV to a particular job, whilst also receiving job specific training such as how to safely handle cleaning chemicals.

Everyone who completes the programme gains a NCFE qualification in Level 2 Principles in Cleaning and is given the opportunity to access hands on experience in the work place.

All of the participants have successfully made the next step into employment, with five of the group about to begin paid work placements with the housing association as cleaning operatives.

Emma Tooth, community investment officer at the housing group, said: “It’s the first time we have run the course, so the fact that those who took part have found employment is excellent news.

“One of our aims is to improve the lives of our tenants and helping them find meaningful paid employment is a big part of that. We run several schemes that help people find work and gain experience, so we are able to help most people find work no matter what their previous experience is.”

The housing association tenants who are looking to gain employment or experience should contact its Community Investment Team who can discuss with them their available options and help them find the most appropriate pathway.