Stonehaven jobs club set to meet
Drop-in session takes place on Friday
Published:
A JOB club aimed at helping unemployed people in a Mearns town will have its inaugural meeting this week.
Local campaigner Alistair Maclean decided to help people at Stonehaven who were looking for jobs after he discovered that the number of unemployed in the town had doubled in a year.
In May, 2008, 51 people claimed Jobseekers Allowance, a figure which rose to 111 a year later, according to national figures.
The first meeting of Stonehaven Job Club will be held on Friday with a drop-in from 10am to 12.30pm at St Bridget’s Hall in the town’s Bridgefield area. Further sessions will be held on Monday, October 5, and October 9.
The session is aimed at “work finders”, a group of people wanting to assist each other in getting a job, said Mr Maclean of Martin Drive. “Using the skills of a community, feelings of rejection and helplessness can be overcome,” he said.
“It is hoped that the drop-in will have a warm friendly atmosphere where people can meet other unemployed people and have a chat over a cup of coffee.
“Other plans are in the pipeline but we wish to listen to learn what is needed.”
Mr Maclean has already been in discussion with Job Centre Plus, Skills Scotland, Aberdeen College, Business Gateway, Forestry Commission Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council about ways of helping to find employment for local people.
Depending on demand, Mr Maclean hopes to run a job search and CV preparation session twice a week at the town’s library.
He also hopes to hold training courses on business essentials.
