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Margaret Hodge visits lone parents
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The Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, The Minister of State (Work), Department for Work and Pensions visited lone parents on the Marks & Start Parents Peturning to Work programme. During the visit to the Marks & Spencer store in Marble Arch on 7 March, The Minister met former participants who completed the programme and now have a job with Marks & Spencer.
She also talked to M&S 'buddies' who support parents while they are on placement in the store. One of the parents that the minister spoke to said "being able to have received this training and work placement has really given me a boost and their should be more projects like this ".
The Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, also took time to meet five of the parents currently on placement in 'Café Revive' and the menswear, ladieswear, lingerie, and accessories departments and discussed the programme and their individual situations.
The Marks & Spencer Lone Parents returning to work programme has seen substantial results from the initiative since the project launch in March 2004. Chris Hills, Innovations and Partnerships Director at One Parent Families announced that since the project started in March 2004, 378 parents have been through the scheme, and nearly half of those who complete the programme go on to gain employment. He said "this is the most successful employability programme I have worked on in over 12 years. The combination of employment skills training directly linked with experience in the real world of work is a winning combination".
During the visit the minister met with representatives from Marks & Spencer including HR Director Keith Cameron and Community Programme Manager EJ Walker, and representatives from charity DisabledGo. There was an opportunity to discuss the benefits of such employability schemes.
Chris Pond, Chief Executive of One Parent Families said "Marks & Start Lone Parents Returning to work is a flagship programme helping lone parents, people with disabilities, homeless and young people make the transition into work. The Minister clearly understood how important this type of programme is in helping the government reach its ambitious targets to increase employment in these groups. The training and support offered on this project really helps people fulfil their ambitions. The Minister was very impressed and prompted discussions on the future opportunities for the programme."
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