05/07/17 Press release
Nominations are being invited for the Fife Business Diversity Awards 2017
Hosted by Opportunities Fife Partnership, FBDA 2017 will recognise the success of Individuals and businesses in Fife who excel in promoting the employment of people who face disadvantages in the labour market.
The awards recognise and reward people who may experience disadvantage in finding and keeping a job due to personal issues, disability or health conditions, lack of work experience, skills or qualifications.
These awards specifically acknowledge determination, resourcefulness and originality in creating equal opportunities for all in the work place.
All shortlisted nominees will be invited to an Awards Ceremony on Friday 1st December 2017 at The Bay Hotel, Burntisland Road, Burntisland, Fife from
10.00am to 12.30pm.
Refreshments and Buffet Lunch provided.
The deadline for nominations is 1st September 2017
Nomination forms are available online at www.opportunitiesfife.org
or can be obtained by calling 03451 55 55 55 444815 or by emailing
FOR OPPS FIFE WEBSITE
Click on the Nomination leaflet icon for more information about FBDA 2017 and
Click on the Nomination Form icon to complete your nomination
Quotes from Last Year’s Awards
Lucinda McAllister, Service Manager for Employability and Employer Engagement Service said, “These awards started in 2003, and every year, we are inspired by the efforts of the people we support and the contribution that Fife’s Employer’s offer through offering chances and challenges in the world of work. We are delighted that this event is endorsed at a local and national level, encouraging us to continue and increase our efforts to support people who want to realise their work goals, and whose drive and determination helps them achieve their ambitions.”
The Awards ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks from Gordon Mole, Senior Manager of Fife Council’s Business and Employability Service who said, “This event is testament to the excellent work achieved through the Opportunities Fife Partnership, ensure people are provided with every available opportunity to work. Of course at the heart of this, we recognise the exceptional efforts of individuals, who despite their circumstances, show determination and commitment to get a job, and the employers who offer opportunities for all.”
Client Journeys
Last year’s Gold winner in the Young Person’s Achiever Category was Liam Rankin.
Liam was successful in winning the Achiever of the Year Gold Award at the 2016 Fife Business Diversity Awards.
Liam’s journey started by engaging with the Works Better Programme which is a project run by the Supported Employment Service. The project supports individuals who have mental health issues or low self-esteem.
Liam started working with his key worker in August 2015 after he was identified through our Better Engaged outreach activity.
Throughout his time on the project, with the support of staff, Liam successfully gained his SCQF level 4 Employability Qualification. He also completed 120 hours of voluntary work with a Youth Club in Fife. Liam completed Employability Fund Stage 3 with West Fife Enterprise and undertook a work placement which he completed in March 2016.
Liam then secured a place at Fife College studying NC Sound Production SCQF level 6 and now works 25 hours as a Kitchen Porter in a local hotel.
Owen Miller won the Gold award in the Adult Employee category in 2016. Owen is an exceptional local athlete who competes in T20 races for those with Asperger’s and complex learning and has gained paid work with Adamson Hotel in Crossford. Owen has progressed from a shy, quiet individual who found it difficult to have eye contact to someone who is confident in his abilities having undertaken a variety of training and 1:1 support from SES to develop both personal skills and work experience. Owen suffered several knock backs after many unsuccessful interviews but continued to be positive by applying his athletics training rules of you can only get better the next time. Owen also promoted Modern Apprenticeships by taking part in a video in relation to the recent Paralympics.
Owen “I am glad I have been able to work with my Disability Employment Coordinator and be involved in so many things but especially to now be in paid work – I love working at the hotel and with Barry one of the Chefs and I hope I can be involved in more cooking or serving in the future. I am getting better all the time with my tasks”.
Opportunities Fife has services to help people find work, and businesses to recruit the right people for the job.
You can find out more about all of the organisations involved at:
www.opportunitiesfife.org