Pictured above: New chapter begins for (from left) Sean Fitzpatrick, Paula Pavlou, George Clonani and Lynette Francis who have secured jobs at Birmingham Central Library

A new chapter in life is about to begin for 14 long-term unemployed Birmingham people who have just secured jobs at the city's Central Library.

They have been given the chance to turn over new leaves and begin careers as library assistants thanks to a unique training initiative.

The 14 will book in for their first days at work this month thanks to their own determination to succeed and the support given them by employment experts Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) and Birmingham City Council.

PPDG staged pre-employment training for the group with Birmingham City Council at the Central Library with a view to filling library assistant vacancies. The vacancies have been created to release the current library staff to archive and start preparing for the move to the city's exciting new library. 

The two-day training programme was hugely successful. All 14 candidates finished the course and completed a library application. Feedback was very positive from all parties involved - from PPDG clients, the library staff who took part, and PPDG's Sharon Baker and Omar Stewart. The clients undertook a programme of skills development encompassing a wide range of activities.

PPDG curriculum development manager Sharon Baker said: "This has been a great opportunity for our clients to be trained in an environment where they could potentially be working. They've learned so much about a whole range of topics including customer service, personal presentation and interview techniques, and have been able to familiarise themselves with the layout and structure of Birmingham Central Library." 

She added: "There's been absolutely fantastic enthusiasm and it has been a pleasure working with such inspiring individuals." 

Bronwen Jones, development manager for reader and customer services at the library, said: "Having PPDG pre-select and then train a group of motivated individuals is brilliant for the library and saves us a great deal of time and effort."

PPDG clients who took part in the pre-employment training at the library included Yvette Merchant-Bradley, who said: "It wasn't as regimented as other courses I have been on, and there was a much more relaxed atmosphere." Gavin Dawson added: "It's a fantastic experience, arranged by a brilliant organisation, delivered by terrific people."

Steve Wood, head of information services at the library, said: "The partnership with PPDG has been a brilliant experience, meeting committed individuals who want to work in the information sector, and helping them understand the roles and skills needed to deliver a 21st century library service."

The link with Birmingham Central Library was established a year ago after PPDG's staff training and Development Manager Andy Woodall. He was asked to speak to library staff about "value led business practice and visualising a better future" as part of their move towards a new Central Library.

PPDG's team of experienced employment experts works alongside jobseekers and local employers to match the most suitable applicants to the jobs that are available. Support for customers includes advice on CVs, improving interview techniques, increasing confidence, providing access to training and much more.

PPDG's team of employment experts provide advice on benefits, confidence building, one-to-one support, CV and interview preparation as well as finding the right job or training course. In partnership with DWP, the Ministry of Justice and Jobcentre Plus, PPDG delivers a diverse range of employment and training initiatives including Flexible New Deal, Working Neighbourhoods Fund, Learndirect and many ESF funded programmes. More than 100,000 job seekers have been helped into sustained employment by the company since the projects began.  It has trained 130,000 people in vocational skills, and over 175,000 people have benefitted from professional information, advice and guidance services.