European Social Fund in England

With help from ESF, graduate Shiraz Jiwa has found the perfect graduate placement.

With support from the ESF funded Progressive Isles project, Derek Metcalfe is now teaching golf and helping to secure the future of his club.

With help from the ESF funded Real Ideas Organisation (RIO), Rod has been able to develop his interest in tattooing into work as a professional tattooist.

Support from an ESF project aimed at graduates in Cornwall has given Nick Walker the opportunity to bring his skills and expertise to a new design role.

Funded through ESF 'On Your Marks' funding, the ‘Get Set Build’ project provided innovative courses, that were designed to raise awareness and assist the entry of women into non-traditional careers.

Thanks to the WILD project for young parents, sisters Sophie and Katie and realizing their potential as fully fledged members of the community.

After embarking on the ESF funded Skills for Jobs course, Tony Glover has now set up his own business.

Thanks to an ESF project, Stacie Keates is now working after four years of unemployment.

After being made redundant, Paul Smith enrolled on an ESF funded Response to Redundancy course and is now enjoying his new job in sales.

A caring teenager from Corby, who left school aged 15 to recover from meningitis, is looking forward to a career in hairdressing after attending a European Social Fund (ESF) project to develop her skills.

Goretti Mannion, a Northampton mother who has battled dyslexia now has her career all wrapped up thanks to a European Social Fund (ESF) project that has helped give her the skills to win promotion 26 years after being in the same job.

After being made redundant from Avon Cosmetics in April, Weller Howard was made up to go back to work within a week and be among the first to benefit from the new European Social Fund ‘Response to Redundancy’ package.

A young Lincolnshire woman is benefiting from a European-funded project which has boosted her confidence so much she's landed a new job.

Lacking in confidence and disillusioned with her job in the hospitality trade, Gillian started on the Tribal Skills for Jobs project. She now has a new job and has set her sights on a career in childcare.

Chloe Adu was winner of the Personal Achiever of the Year (14-19 years) at the 2009 London ESF awards event.

Danny is making plans for the future working as a scaffolder thanks to help from an ESF project.

Krista Brown, Managing Director - Persona HR Ltd has participated in an ESF funded programme to help train security and events staff.

After participating in an ESF project Nigel is launching his own business enterprise fixing and recycling bikes and training disadvantaged people in cycle maintenance.

After a difficult few years, Ganna has gained qualifications and a new found confidence as she looks for employment opportunities.

Kamal Jit Kaur, an ESF project manager, is mentoring ESF participants towards a brighter future.

After seven years looking after her three children and being out of work, Susan enrolled on an ESF course and now runs her own security business.

Tony is in his first ever job and has won an award for his efforts thanks to a European Social Fund training programme.

Barrie Crook is hopeful of a volunteering opportunity at the 2012 Olympic Games thanks to the ESF supported Personal Best project.

Thanks to an ESF course Alan Smithson is applying new found skills to his volunteering roles.

Malcolm Medlen has turned his life around after enrolling on an ESF project and is now running his own business using his green fingers to turn gardens into works of art.

With support from ESF and Working Links Iok Seng Lai is going from strength to strength.

After losing his job and a period of unemployment, Mark Brierley’s life has been turned around and he is now enjoying a job in landscaping.

With help from the ESF funded Opt-IN project Josh has boosted his self-confidence and started a college course.

When Chris Wilsdon's eye sight deteriorated he had to give up his job as an IT consultant. Now, after taking part in an ESF supported radio project he is working three days a week and hoping to get more experience in the media.

After being made redundant within weeks of each other, Mary and Brian Seaton are both enjoying new careers.

A Westward Ho! employee, who was made redundant earlier this year, has gone from making doors to guarding them after retraining support from the European Social Fund and North Devon Pathfinder Trust.

After being made redundant Carol Williams didn’t know if she would find another job. But, after enrolling on an ESF course she is now happily employed with the Royal Mail.

Enrolling on the European Social Fund LEAP project has changed Marvin's attitude for the better.

In just a few months Blaine Tomlinson, 20, has moved from homeless, jobless and with few prospects to having a job, his own flat and ambitions to embark on professional training.

After being made redundant David Ball enrolled on the ESF Skills for Jobs project in Solihull. He is now retraining and is positive about his future employment.

After an illness Terry has changed career and set himself up as a locksmith.

With support from an ESF funded A4e self employment project, Nicky Clements is now running her own painting and decorating business.

Thanks to ESF support Andrew Gamble is growing his business and has developed a thirst for knowledge.

Following his epilepsy diagnosis, Stephen Hemingway never thought he’d work again until he enrolled on a European Social Fund self-employment project run by A4e in Barnsley.

After a long period of unemployment Caroline now has increased confidence and a job in the retail sector.

After leaving her stressful full-time employment last year Corinne struggled to find new employment. Now, thanks to an ESF funded course she has a new career in the care sector.