Council decides to suspend employment project run by the Lennox Partnership
A charity which fined jobseekers for tutting and chewing gum has been suspended by North Ayrshire Council.
The controversial Strive employment course delivered by the Lennox Partnership in conjunction with the local authority was lambasted after it was revealed those on its “work ready” training programme could be fined up to £7.50 or face sanctions if they did not comply with strict rules of behaviour.
Managers at the Ardrossan-based scheme said the fines were designed to make clients understand the importance of timekeeping and how to behave in the workplace.
But since a participant on the project posted the list of fines on social media the charity has been inundated with a storm of complaints as well as a protest held outside its offices.
Although initially defiant, North Ayrshire Council has now bowed to pressure and suspended the programme.
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The council is currently in discussions with the Lennox Partnership to discuss the Strive Programme and how best to address the concern that has been raised.
The Lennox Partnership seem well known for this nonsense
“We are suspending recruitment to the programme to give us the necessary time to consider the issues that have been raised relating to the fines system. We will consider the evidence and different views on this element of the programme.
“As a council we are working tirelessly to boost the local economy and we use a wide variety of programmes designed to offer participants support in accessing the job market.
“Over the last four years, the Strive Programme has been a successful part of this process. It has been enjoyed by participants and businesses alike and perhaps most significantly has seen 90% of people taking part in our most recent programmes going on to find work.”
Colin Turbett, one of the protesters who is also the local RISE candidate, said: “This protest was in support of the right of the jobless of the area to be treated with respect and dignity, and not like children in a Victorian workhouse.
“We are pleased that the council seem to have changed their opinion about courses like Strive - the Lennox Partnership seem well known for this nonsense.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Unemployed Workers’ Network, which has also been campaigning for the scheme to be dropped, said: “We hope that this scheme is not only being suspended in Ardrossan, but stopped completely here and the other places where it is being used.”
