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Inspirational single dad scoops learning and training award

By Elizabeth Eyre (03-07-2008)
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Learning and Development News - Inspirational single dad scoops learning and training award

Single dad Gary Fuller has been hailed as a “true inspiration to others” after scooping the award for outstanding achievement in learning and training at the first annual Local Employment Partnership awards.

Single dad Gary Fuller won one of two individual accolades at the first annual Local Employment Partnerships awards, which are run by Jobcentre Plus. He works for Exemplar Health Care as a carer for young adults with special needs in Rotherham, returning to work in April after being unemployed for ten years.

The other individual award went to Mark Farrell, who has learning disabilities, for successfully overcoming barriers to employment. After 12 years of unemployment, he now works in the grocery section of the Asda supermarket in Harrogate and says his life has been “transformed” by his new job.

Fuller and Farrell received their awards from employment minister Stephen Timms at a special ceremony at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London this week. Timms said: “Particular congratulations go to Gary Fuller and Mark Farrell on the personal achievements they have made to win their awards, which are a true inspiration to others.”

Fuller left his job as a bakery manager in 1997 to care for his three children and decided to return to work when his youngest daughter turned 15. He was interested in working with young adults and his Jobcentre Plus advisor recommended attending an open day at Exemplar Health Care. He subsequently successfully applied for a job with the company and went on a 13-week training course.

He said: “I’m finding the work so satisfying that it doesn’t feel like work to me. I’m really in my element when I’m at work. I’ve also noticed that my self-confidence has increased, which encourages me to go forward to plan extra things such as outings with my son and daughter.”

Julie Quarrington, chairman of the Exemplar Group, said Fuller’s commitment and enthusiasm for his new job had been “outstanding” and added: “Seeing him excel in his new role has been a great example of the benefits employers gain when working with Jobcentre Plus, and what they can get out of Local Employment Partnerships.”

The LEP awards recognise the outstanding contributions made by the employers, employees and partners involved in them, says Jobcentre Plus. The partnerships are a new government approach to helping disadvantaged people back into work.

The employer award for work-life balance went to Tesco, Haydock; the employer award for best practice in recruitment went jointly to Debenhams, North Wales, and Tesco, Aston; the employer award for best practice in career progression went to Marriott Hotels, Cardiff and St Pierre, and the partnership award for best practice in partnership working went to Nissan Motors, Sunderland.

The winners were selected by a judging panel, drawn from the public and private sector, including John Cridland, deputy director general of the CBI, and Jackie Orme, chief executive of the CIPD, and chaired by Timms.

The presentation ceremony was hosted by Tim Campbell, who won the first series of The Apprentice.

 

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