British and European light welter weight boxing champ Junior Witter has been a hit in Burngreave, Sheffield!
For he attended a special employment celebration ceremony to recognise the achievements of local people who have helped themselves into employment.
Junior was on hand at the event, organised by Burngreave New Deal for Communities (BNDfC), Sheffield Action Team, Burngreave JobNet and the BNDfC One Stop Shop, to present certificates to three local people who are now working within the BNDfC programme team as part of the ‘Apprentices for all’ scheme.
The apprentices, Shabana Khan, Awil Mireh and Azeem Khan, will now work at New Deal for the next year.
Funded by BNDfC and the Learning and Skills Council, the ‘Apprenticeships for all’ scheme is managed by Sheffield City Council's Employment Unit.
It is open to people aged between 16-60 and offers a wide range of apprenticeship employment opportunities in a variety of occupations and trades. The Apprenticeships programme includes work experience or an employment opportunity and the study of an NVQ in levels 2 and/or 3 all directly related to the apprentice's chosen occupational area.
Shabana Khan, 28 and a Burngreave resident, is now a communications assistant at BNDfC, said: "I did have a job before but I wanted to focus on an area I could develop a career in. I was looking for a new challenge working within the community that I have lived in all my life.
"It has been a big step for me to take but I am going to gain something from this experience and really build up my skills and knowledge which will stand me in better stead to get a job in this area of work in the future.
"To other young people in Burngreave, I would say don't have negative thoughts. There is support and opportunities within our community but you do have to take that next step and go out, be active and get involved.
It's about getting local people into local jobs to help make Burngreave a better place for us all," she added.
Ophelia Clarke, Community Development Worker at BNDfC, said: "BNDfC designated November as a month to focus on employment issues so people could come and find information all under one roof. We have worked with a number of agencies in the area that can support people into training and employment and help overcome barriers such as child care, health, benefits issues or language difficulties.
"I'd like to thank Junior Witter and John Clark, BNDfC Chief Executive, for ending the month in spectacular style by helping to reward those individuals who have looked at the opportunities here in Burngreave and decided to make a difference to their lives and their community. Hopefully, we can encourage other local businesses to get involved and take on apprentices to do their bit.
“I would like to acknowledge and say a special thank you to all the various agencies and employers that supported the employment events throughout the month,” she added.