Kennedy Scott Employment Consultant Wins National Employment Services Industry Award
On Tuesday 16 June, Kennedy Scott Employment Consultant, Julie Eastwood, who manages the delivery of the Government’s Work Programme in Dover and Canterbury, was presented with a National Employment Award in recognition of her commitment to learning and development.
The annual ERSA Employability Awards seek to celebrate and champion the exceptional people and organisations working across the employment support sector to help jobseekers in their journey towards employment. With entrants from charities, private companies, housing associations, social enterprises and local authorities, amongst others, the awards highlight the very best of employment support in the UK.
Julie, who is a Senior Business Manager at Kennedy Scott’s Canterbury and Dover Work Programme Centres, was successfully nominated for the Employability Learner Award, for her consistent overachievement at work and for her dedication to personal development.
Many of Julie’s colleagues chose to support the nomination by writing personal statements, commenting on what a brilliant manager she has been, and how much time she has spent promoting the personal development of staff and customers.
Judges recognised that Julie’s dedication was all the more remarkable because she has undertaken studies and taken on additional management responsibilities while fighting off leukaemia.
Receiving the Award, at an event held at the British Library in Central London and attended by 300 representatives from the sector, Julie Eastwood said: “This is a massive achievement, and I am totally overwhelmed and proud to be chosen by industry leaders for this prestigious national award.
“Personal development is very important, whoever you are, and it is great that this is recognised in my sector through this award. I certainly believe that my own learning has helped to develop my management skills, benefitting staff and most importantly jobseekers in Kent.
Teresa Scott, CEO of Kennedy Scott commented: "I am absolutely delighted that Julie has been recognised with this award. Julie has demonstrated a consistent commitment to her own learning and development and shown a remarkable ability to use it to benefit colleagues, her centre and above all the customers she helps into work every day.
“The fact that Julie has been able to overcome such a serious health challenge while achieving so much, as both a learner and manager, made her stand out for recognition through this award and we are delighted that the judges agreed.
“Julie Eastwood is a truly selfless person who does so much for unemployed people in Canterbury and Dover. I am very proud that we have been able to support Julie to achieve her potential, as that is exactly what she does for local people every day. She thoroughly deserves this award."
MP for Dover, Charlie Elphicke, who visited Kennedy Scott Dover just last week, tweeted to congratulate Julie on the night saying: “Wow - many congratulations. Fantastic and so greatly deserved!”
Kirsty McHugh, Chief Executive of ERSA, said: “The employment support sector does a tremendous job helping jobseekers into work. But often we see the sector just in terms of figures, whether that’s numbers into work or benefits saved. However, these miss the true story of hard work and commitment by people like Julie.”
Julie Eastwood (R) with IEP Chairperson Janette Faherty (L)