The London Education, Training and Employment (ETE) team recently celebrated the opening of their brand-new office in Market Road, Islington, welcoming more than 50 partners from the local community including employers, charities and probation officers.
Launched in 2021, the ETE service, which supports people on probation to develop new skills and find work, has engaged nearly 700 people in London and supported hundreds into new jobs and training opportunities.
Attendees heard directly from people on probation who have been supported by the service to break the cycle of offending and move forward with their lives. Partners attending and presenting on the day included Redemption Roasters, a coffee company that trains and employs ex-offenders, along with counselling provider Pure Insights.
Recognising the important role employers can play in transforming the lives of people with an offending background, a special award was presented to Barrett-Bell Ltd, who have supported dozens of London ETE participants to gain a qualification in gas installation, offering the potential of a long-term career in an in-demand trade.
Speaking at the event, Her Worship the Mayor of Islington, Councillor Marion Spall said: “We welcome Maximus’ work to help local people on probation to get their lives back on track through access to health and employment support. We also recognise their contribution to reducing reoffending and helping to make the communities of Islington safer.”
Craig Walker, ETE Contract Director at Maximus, said: “Our new office will enable us to support more people in London and to deliver a broader range of services that help people move on in their lives. The office also gives us greater flexibility to innovate and engage with more partners in the sector.
“We hope that, by providing a hub that delivers a range of activities and key services, we will continue to make a real difference – changing people’s lives and making communities safer and stronger.”
The office opening was also attended by Maximus Division President, Dr Paul Williams, who added: “We’re delighted to be establishing ourselves here in Islington. Our dedicated London ETE team are committed to identifying the participant’s individual needs and helping them to access suitable support to achieve their employment and development goals – going the extra distance to find not just any opportunity, but the right opportunity.”
