An award-winning training and employment project for people who have a history of drug or alcohol problems is looking for people in Dumfries and Galloway to take part.
The Addiction Worker Training Project (AWTP), run by Scottish Drugs Forum, supports, trains and prepares people with a history of drug or alcohol problems to work in the social care field.
If successful with their application, AWTP trainees will be supported over nine months to achieve a recognised qualification in Health and Social Care, while working in placements in local services.
As well as developing skills and confidence, the trainees also receive an intensive package of personalised support and a weekly wage.
Since 2004, out of the 249 people who have started on the course, over 90% have completed, with over 85% securing further meaningful employment, the majority to full time jobs in the health and social care field.
Although the AWTP has been running in areas in the East and West of Scotland for the last 15 years, this is the first time that the programme has expanded to provide opportunities to people in Dumfries and Galloway.
The expansion of the project into the area has been funded by Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP).
Jackie Davies, Dumfries and Galloway ADP Coordinator, said:
“Dumfries and Galloway ADP recognises that enabling individuals with lived experience of drug and alcohol problems to access training and employment is a crucial part of an individual’s recovery. The ADP’s funding of Scottish Drugs Forum’s Addiction Worker Training Project will help the trainees to build confidence, break down barriers to employment and reduce stigma around people with drug and alcohol problems.
“Dumfries and Galloway’s workforce will also be enhanced through employing people with lived experience which will benefit future service delivery, whether in the drugs and alcohol field or social care.”
David Liddell, SDF Chief Executive Officer, said:
“We are delighted that Dumfries and Galloway ADP have funded an expansion of our Addiction Worker Training Project. Since the programme’s inception in 2004, we have been keen to provide as many people as possible the ability to benefit from the life-changing opportunities that the project provides.
“Over the years, our experience elsewhere in Scotland has been that above 80% of those graduating from the paid employment programme go on to work in either addiction services or the wider social care services. The programme therefore not only benefits individuals, but also local services seeking to recruit motivated and skilled workers.”
Applications are currently being taken until the 26th of August 2019. More details, including an application pack, can be found on SDF’s website – www.sdf.org.uk/jobs
