Last week (Thursday 17 June), Barking and Dagenham Council’s Work and Skills service hosted a virtual event to honour their students, clients, and staff's hard work and achievements. 

The service (made up of The Adult College, The Job Shop and Mental Health Vocational Support teams) held the event to recognise the efforts of staff and celebrate the students and clients who have overcome huge barriers to achieve their goals over the past year. 

Work and Skills staff spoke proudly of how resilient students and clients had adapted to online classes and meetings, with many juggling home-school learning and childcare and some sadly losing loved ones. 

Student and clients were quick to praise staff, too, commenting on the support they'd given them during tough times and thanking them for going above and beyond. 

“I’m extremely proud of everyone involved. It’s been a really difficult period, but together we have come through it and we will build back even better."

Leader of the Council, Councillor Darren Rodwell, Her Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Edna Fergus, Councillor Evelyn Carpenter and Councillor Sade Bright all attended the event to offer their congratulations.

 

Councillor Sade Bright, Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Aspiration, said: “As a council, we’re committed to helping our residents access a range of educational and employment opportunities.

“It was a pleasure to attend the celebration event and hear about the incredible determination and commitment that people have shown to achieve their goals during this tough time. 

“I’m extremely proud of everyone involved. It’s been a really difficult period, but together we have come through it and we will build back even better.

“The service is ready to do even more, there is so much more to look forward to.”

Councillor Evelyn Carpenter, Cabinet Member for School Improvement and Education and Chair of Work and Skills Advisory Board, said: “I want to say a special thank you to the advisory board members, it’s an honour to chair and they make a great contribution to our students.

“It’s more important this year than ever before to celebrate the fantastic work the staff do, because they have gone above and beyond to support those they work with in extraordinary circumstances.”