Fusion21

Radio Merseyside talks to Fusion21 Trainee about his journey into employment

Roger Phillips of BBC Radio Merseyside spoke to Fusion21 graduate, John Lawless last week to find out about how the project has changed his life and helped him into employment.

John told on the chat show “I originally heard about Fusion21 through the Road to Work project in Page Moss who sent me for an interview with Fusion21.”

“Fusion21 helped me by giving me workshop training in a range of construction skills and helped me to gain health & safety qualifications. They helped to get me ready for work by training me in relevant subjects and enabling me to achieve the qualifications I needed to start employment.”

“I now have a job as a kitchen fitter for Queensbridge, a contractor working on the Fusion21 frameworks.”

“This was all made possible thanks to a 4 year contract awarded to them by Arena Housing Group.”

The presenter then went onto ask John if he agreed with the government’s plan of encouraging the unemployed to get back into work by working for free within the community.

John commented, “No, I don’t agree, I think people should be trained and helped to find paid jobs. If people are made to work, they will need some type of training to help them get ready for work.”

John ended his interview by offering his advice to people who may find themselves unemployed, “I would encourage anyone who is unemployed to use someone like Fusion21 to help train them and find them suitable work. They have been fantastic for me and they were helpful in every way from the very beginning.”

Jan Agger, Head of Training & Employment at Fusion21 added, “We are very proud of our achievements at Fusion21, we have created over 700 jobs with our partner landlords, showing that partnership working produces great results. John has shown initiative and drive during his time with us, this hard work proved fruitful for him in gaining one of our permanent jobs which we ensure are sustainable.”

Tony Harris, Arena Housing, commented,”I am really pleased for John, and for the real opportunity that has been presented to him in training as a kitchen fitter. I wish him all the best.”