Westminster Works

Helping with jobs and training

Westminster Works commenced on 01st April 2009 as a 2 year employment and training programme.  This initiative was funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), and Westminster Council, and initially aimed to engage with 3,000 job seekers and assist 600 of this number to find employment. 

The Westminster Works programme ended on September 30 2011, having been extended from April 1 2011, because of the success of and demand for the project. 

This programme was the first of its kind, as never before have local employment organizations worked in partnership on such a large scale.  Clients who registered with Westminster Works benefitted from one-to-one meetings with local advisors, help to complete applications, CV writing, workshops and a range of other useful services.  The program also worked in partnership with a number of local employers to provide volunteer work placements and employment opportunities.

The criteria for people who wished to participate in the project was:
• Resident of Westminster
• Unemployed or employed part-time up to 8 hours per week
• Not in full time education or in part-time education up to 16 hours per week
• Aged between 20-65
• UK citizen or have the right to work in the UK

Telka Chambers started a new career as a result of registering with Westminster Works.  This is what she had to say about her experience on the program;

“I approached the Octavia Foundation for help with work experience and spoke to the employment advisor about which skills and experience I wanted to gain as a volunteer.  I was given a three month work placement where I worked as an administrator and learned a great deal about how a housing association works.  When I applied for jobs, they helped with my applications and interview skills which I found really useful in building my confidence.  I didn’t expect that I could get a job in such a short space of time, but I am thankful to the Octavia Foundation and Westminster Works for helping me to secure this position and begin my career."