Sponsored by
Training specialist looking to US
A YORKSHIRE company which was set up to provide training for former steelworkers is poised to expand into the United States.
Emma Harrison, the chairman of A4e, said the company had been asked to talk to representatives of President Barack Obama's administration about providing training for the long-term unemployed in the US.
Ms Harrison said she hoped to have a "substantial" presence in the US within two years.
The Sheffield-based training firm is already exporting its skills to India, Australia, Israel, Germany, France, Poland and South Africa. It is predicted that A4e's turnover could rise from 190m to 500m over the next five years as its overseas operations grow. Over the same period, the company believes staff numbers could rise from 3,100 to around 8,000.
Mark Lovell, the company's executive chairman, said President Obama was focusing on creating jobs in poor communities, as well as cutting the numbers of criminals who re-offended.
Ms Harrison founded the company in 1987 to provide training opportunities for people left jobless by the decline of the steel industry in Sheffield.
A4e, which stands for Action for Employment, helps people and organisations to get access to training, employment and advice. It now runs mainly public sector contracts from more than 200 service centres across the world.
Ms Harrison said: "Our number one priority is to improve people's lives."
A4e has also won a Government contract to deliver the Flexible New Deal programme, which starts in October.
The company has invested 8m in research, development and refurbishment to roll out the programme at 40 locations across the country.
Ms Harrison said the people helped by A4e included single mothers and the long-term unemployed.
She added: "There isn't one size fits all. They are often people who are hard to help. You have got to get to know them on a totally personal level. For example, if somebody has a drug problem then we have to deal with that first.
"Some of them are angry and bitter. Their low self esteem comes across. People will help themselves if they feel good about themselves.
"Globally, the plan is just starting. In Poland we exceeded all targets. In Germany we are working with whole families. That's the next step for the UK. We must get three delegations into our London office from foreign countries a month.
"The public sector drives contracts around the world with welfare reform in its broadest sense."
Last night, it was also confirmed that the Department for Work and Pensions had found evidence of fraud committed by a single employee of A4e in Hull. It followed allegations that an employee had made false claims about getting an employee into work.
A DWP spokesman said A4e had dismissed an employee as a result of the investigation. "A4e cooperated fully in this investigation and have agreed a financial settlement."
Ms Harrison said: "Two years ago we were the victim of a fraud in Hull, carried out by two employees in collusion with a third party." One was sacked and one had left. "No business could take honesty more seriously than we do." Systems had been reviewed as a result.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
