UEA

Read about the experiences and journeys taken by Evolve delegates since May 2009

"I graduated last year thinking it'd maybe take me a couple of months to find a 'normal' 9-5 job. How very wrong I was, and after resigning myself to tedious part time retail jobs, started feeling very sorry for myself. Once I found project Evolve I found hope for my near future. I got great CV and cover letter advice, a personality test, mock interview, attended many short courses, and finally, gained an internship through you. I literally don't know how I would have coped without project Evolve, and I know that I am not alone. Project Evolve has done so much for graduates like me, especially in Norfolk which tends to be forgotten about, and it'd be an absolute tragedy to lose it in September."

Davina Christison – Recent graduate and Environmental Services Professional

"I'm a fan of Project Evolve, both as a participator and contributor. Learning new skills and working with people from different backgrounds can bring so much: increased awareness, exposure to new ideas and opportunities and the motivation and courage to keep going in these uncertain times. Hats off to you Sophie, Richard and Kevan for making it happen; I do hope the funding comes from somewhere because this is a model that works."

Andrea Rippon, Owner of 'Who Are You Now?'

"I have taken part in the short courses run by evolve and also received help through their business mentoring programme where they buddy you up with someone from the business world to help you with running your business.

The training has helped me approach a new situation presenting to a national conference with confidence and without which I may not have made a success of it. As a paid speaker for the first time it was vital for my business I learnt these skills and made a success of it. This has helped me secure further business.

The mentoring side of the programme has really helped me through the 4th year of my business and helped me see where I need to focus to make my business a success in the next years.

I have also found the evolve programme to be vital when referring individuals facing redundancy, particularly middle managers and also new graduates coming out of education for the first time straight into a recession. It has given them a focus, enabled them to tackle skills they were lacking or needed boosting and some of my clients have gone on after one of the training sessions to get paid employment.

Both personally and for many of my clients the evolve programme has bridged a massive gap in the employment market for helping skilled, educated and very able people to make the most of themselves in a very difficult employment market. It is very much unique in doing this and must continue.

It has been so good being part of Evolve and really helped me as a small business to gain valuable extra knowledge, mentoring and skills which otherwise would have been beyond my reach due to cost. Thank you again Evolve. I hope this much needed project can continue."

Ann Starkie, Director AS CAREERS

"Thanks very much, it has been an education and a pleasure. I can honestly say that the Evolve courses I have attended in the past nine months have improved my confidence tremendously. The Evolve courses put me in a positive, resilient frame of mind capable of facing - and overcoming -redundancy.

If Phase Two receives funding please contact me."

"I only came across Project Evolve earlier this year when someone recommended the course about developing Brands [Brand Leadership]. I found it to be excellent and also had the opportunity to meet some great new people and hear about their own businesses. Two members of our team have now also been on Project Evolve courses and I strongly believe that they have added significantly to the development of our new business. I would be more than happy to help in any way I can to gain further funding for the continuation of such a great resource for local businesses in these challenging times."

"Evolve helped me transition from volunteer work to paid work by developing the many skills required to adapt to a work environment. Having a menu of short courses providing either hard skills or soft skills meant I could progress along a pragmatic path, develop my personal effectiveness, build up techniques and knowledge relevant to entrepreneurship, acquire a better understanding of today's new environmental landscape and respond to it.

I remember my first ever workshop last September with Evolve on Carbon Footprinting. It was masterly delivered to us lay people with consideration and yet without concession: my first glimpse of the high standard that would be one of the hallmark of Project Evolve and thank you Sophie for drawing my attention to other courses that may be of interest I leapfrogged into mental toughness training, leadership in time of crisis, each time gaining in skills and confidence.

I do not know how many participants went back to employment but I am confident that Project Evolve is instrumental in building a Social Capital for Norfolk: you are the agent of change, we are now more resilient, more equipped to be positively efficient, more prepared for the challenges to come."

"Having completed the 6-day Carbon Management suite of courses by Evolve last year, I feel extremely privileged and grateful that I had free access to this scheme.

The level of experience and knowledge by the tutors was exceptional and to be involved with like-minded delegates who were genuinely interested in the subject was very inspiring.

Clearly, the project management and organisational planning to deliver training at 6 different venues throughout Norfolk to a range of different people from a multitude of backgrounds should not be lost. Evolve should be encouraged to flourish and continue to support local SMEs and individuals to maintain key-skills, awareness and self-worth though the continuing economic downturn that we are facing.

To learn from others, shared experiences and input is invaluable in order to gain an insight into the subject. That is exactly what Evolve has provided; a catalyst for learning in Norfolk and East Anglia...well done."

Henry Chapman - Business Services Manager at Harrison Group Environmental Ltd

"I found out about Evolve by chance from an ex-colleague in the same boat as me - both recently made redundant. I've almost completed the Carbon Management programme and this has been excellent. It was tailor-made for me, being an ex UEA Env Science graduate and having spent my last couple of years in the corporate world getting involved in corporate responsibility and "Green IT". As others have said, the courses work on many levels - training, networking, careers advice, and also generating ideas, eg for setting up one's own business or social network. Admittedly this is a specialist subject and we are exceptionally fortunate to have this kind of expertise in Norwich, but I suppose if Evolve was tried somewhere else it might include a few specialist courses applicable to that locale. I also attended the one-off course on patenting & marketing products; and I went on the low carbon development site visit to the BRE Innovation Park. I have found all events to be professionally organised and well taught. One final point: the open-ended approach is refreshing; attendees are not forced to choose one thing instead of another, or shuffled along towards some kind of career target after their allotted quota (as tends to be the case with private sector organisations which make their living from this sort of thing). Evolve is great in theory AND in practice; I hope it can continue."

"Project Evolve has helped provide me with the tools I've needed to make the next step in my role and it has also given me the confidence and belief to enhance my role within the organisation. Of particular assistance has been the wealth of experience the tutors have been able to offer; course content has to be put into context to aid the learning process and to make the information more valid."

Antony Parke, Voluntary Norfolk

"I don't know what I would do without it. The CV and skills advice I got from Project Evolve recently was far superior than any I had received in the past and from the usual avenues that are available to me. There are workshops that are coming up that could be invaluable to me for keeping my skills fresh and alive, learning new things and keeping my spirits high as I search for a suitable graduate position. I think it would be a great loss to the region if this program was stopped in September.

I have very much enjoyed all the courses that I have attended. Project Evolve really is a beacon in the darkness of unemployment and there really is nothing else like it out there in Norwich that I know of. I think if more people knew about it, you just wouldn't be able to get rooms big enough to hold everybody who would turn up : ) I think, to people who are out of work and at risk of having their self esteem ravaged by the likes of the job centre, Project Evolve is an absolute sanctuary where people can make new acquaintances, be inspired and keep their morale high. It's certainly been a great help to me and given me the courage to wait out the storm and not just take any old low paid, unskilled type of jobs that the job centre tried to pressurize me into applying for.

I really hope that the project manages to find further funding so that it can not only keep going but grow to help even more people in the future. It would be a great loss if the project ended.

I'd love to stay on the list and keep in the loop to know how it is all going.

Many thanks for everything. Things would not have gone so well for me without Project Evolve there."

"I wish everyone at the Project every luck in securing additional funding - you are doing the County a fantastic service."

"I am a massive fan of Evolve, its people and its purpose. Your organisation provides a truly valuable function for Norfolk by being receptive to ultra current learning, skills and knowledge transfer needs in a way more usually associated with the responsive, flexible and personable nature of the SME/private sector. In a relatively short space of time Evolve has successfully marketed itself as an inclusive and dynamic organisation that simply helps people learn valuable new stuff.

I have attended 3 Evolve courses and consider every one of them a very worthwhile investment of my very limited time.

If I can help in any way towards securing a future for this most excellent project I would be very pleased to do so."

Martin Lake, Director at Buy Local Ltd, Chair of Mid-Norfolk Branch of FSB and Owner of Copyprint Ltd.

"I have done several Project Evolve courses and have found them all very professionally delivered, well thought out and extremely useful. The Project has truly 'evolved' in a refreshingly dynamic way responding to new ideas, the needs of the job market and the needs of recent graduates. I am regularly updated on the courses and new initiatives that Project Evolve are creating and delivering and the scope of what they do is impressive and seems both logically thought out and practical.

Working at the Council myself and my colleagues are thinking about how we might be able to recruit an intern and build better links between the Council and the University. In the current economic crisis and serious cut backs in government funding new ways need to be sought to support recent graduates and the skills base of our county along with ensuring continued delivery of local services both private and public. I think it would be very damaging to stop such a successful project now especially when it seems that it is really getting going and has such great potential to do even more."

Esme Holtom – Recent graduate and Climate Change Officer at Norfolk County Council

"I'd very much like to see this programme continue, despite the current funding problems. I've not seen more than a fraction of its offerings but it's clearly a very valuable service and I'd be sorry to see it go. It's all the more necessary in the current climate and to wind it up would be a big mistake - look at the potential ROI!!!"

Nigel Beesley

"I am amongst the registered Business Mentors under the Evolve Project and have been fortunate enough to meet with and support a small number of exceptionally talented owners of SMEs locally.

The Business Mentoring initiative facilitates survival and growth in these challenging times and as such is an invaluable resource.

On the flip side it has also enabled me to continue to develop expertise in the field of mentoring entrepreneurs and offered up insights into the challenges facing not only the business, but more importantly the individuals who help them.

I recognise that there are resources for people starting a business, but a lack of support and expertise for those that have overcome the first hurdles, are established and want to move to the next stage.

I think that terminating funding for such a useful project would have a negative effect. There is clearly a need for it to continue - and perhaps post September 2010 even more so."

Mary-Jane Kingsland, Owner of Greenlight Coaching and Mentoring

"I am so very grateful to Project Evolve for helping me find a position in the local workforce after I arrived from another hemisphere. It is extremely difficult for graduates to find paid work after uni, in their professional industry, especially with limited or no practical experience. I just kept trying with Evolve, knowing that the support was there and that something ideal for me would eventually turn up. The team at Evolve must be very dedicated - they always kept me updated and have always inspired me (in e-mails) to keep on trying and searching for graduate work. Evolve was my steady bridge over troubled water, and I am enjoying an internship thanks to them! Shame on the affluent community of Norfolk for failing to fund this brilliant local organisation!"

Whitney Edwards, Recent graduate

"I too strongly believe that Evolve deserves continued funding. Delegates attending the workshops I have run for Evolve access my expertise for free for which other businesses have to pay. This allows me to help sole traders, micro-businesses & even pre-start-ups. Back in 1992, had I been able to access the range of expertise currently offered by Evolve, I believe my business growth would have been faster and more effective. Long live Evolve!"

Chris Liles, Business Mentor and Relationships Doctor

"In my view there are two serious deficiencies in the interface between UK universities and the private sector: Firstly, jobs are scarce and it is therefore of vital importance that the right candidate is identified for the right job. If this is not achieved it can be both costly to the company and detrimental to the graduates development.

Secondly, many graduates are leaving university with degrees but no real experience. They are in affect not ‘work ready'. Again, this can be very costly to the private sector and will almost undoubtedly work against the graduate when applying for jobs.

From my own personal experience of working with Evolve graduates and having employed a number of graduates in the past, it is crystal clear to me how vitally important the Evolve project is to ensure a prosperous future in the region and to further enhance the reputation of the regions academic institutions."

"I have been so impressed with the way this project has been organised, delivered and the difference it has obviously made in the Norfolk community. I will keep my fingers crossed that it continues - it should!!"

Geraldine Kilbride, Owner of Visioningworks

"Experience is vital, but so is continuing to learn new skills, and I find that running my own successful design and marketing agency is very full on and finding time to continue my professional development can be a challenge. Branding/Brand Development is a very important part of our work so I was delighted to be given the opportunity to attend a Project Evolve course led by Robert Jones, senior business fellow and strategist at Wolff Olins, the brand consultancy behind Unilever, GE and Tate. The day provided an invaluable opportunity to tap into his genius brain and learn from one of the top people in the Branding industry. And for free - amazing!!! (I would have probably had to pay several hundred pounds to attend a conference/workshop through one of the professional bodies.)

I learnt so much which has benefited my own business clients and ipatter.com where I am marketing manager."

Belinda James, Owner of Gareth James Design Associates and Marketing Manager at iPatter Ltd

"I have attended several Evolve courses at a time in my career where I have a lot of experience but do not qualify for graduate advice as it is a long time since I graduated. I do not know where else I would find careers advice at this level and the Evolve service is vital for people to be able to progress when they do not have a clear career path through their job. The Government wants a changing flexible workforce and Project Evolve is a vital tool to enable that to happen. Otherwise the economy keeps losing the perspective and experience of people who have a wider world view and the benefit of hindsight. I am all for helping and encouraging young people and graduates but people in mid-career and at a professional level also need significant help and guidance.

Even with experience we still need to keep moving and developing new skills. I also attended the Branding Masterclass, which I found fascinating and relevant and it will help me to formulate my moves in the future, but the point is that I wouldn't have been able to pay to go on such a course, because I would not have been funded, and when people are starting up, or trying to reinvent or develop themselves, such opportunities are a luxury that is often cut. So free training and an opportunity to study at this level for no cost is brilliant, and well used and appreciated as well. All in all, I thoroughly lend my support to Project Evolve and the service it offers - I don't know how I would have navigated this last year without it whilst I have been under threat of redundancy, and I really hope that it is there in the coming year when I expect to have to deal positively with the reality.

Like people above, I will do whatever I can to help secure a future for Project Evolve."

"I have had the pleasure of being one of the course tutors for Project Evolve. As a trainer/tutor the participants on this evolve course want to learn. This is very important. Projects like Evolve provide local training opportunities to those that really want to improve their career opportunities and may not have access to training elsewhere."

Mary Keightley, Mind Associates

"I would echo the above thoughts about participants in the Evolve courses wanting to learn. I've run several and have found an exceptional degree of engagement from virtually everyone. The discussions are lively and productive and every individual I've spoken to have said they got a lot out of the course. Evolve is providing a unique resource to Norfolk businesses and individuals and it should continue."

"Project Evolve has been excellent and I've learnt a lot from the sessions I've attended. The best use of public funding I've experienced for a very long time - More money needs to be found to keep it going."

Alastair Kingsland

"I think this is a brilliant service for unemployed people. It provides a confidence boost and is more specific and comprehensive than Jobcentre Plus provides. The fact that it is free is also invaluable when income is scarce and the length does not compromise Jobseekers Agreements."

"Thank you for the recent Project Evolve Training Courses I attended. Funding is particularly tight in our sector at present so paid for/ subsidised places at useful training courses are particularly welcome at the moment. The courses were well co-ordinated with plenty of notice and practical information. St Andrews House is a superb venue and the attention to detail of the staff team there is excellent. Both Janette and Rachel do a wonderful job of making people feel welcome and aware of the practicalities.

The training itself was of an excellent standard. The days were varied and there were plenty of interactive, interesting sessions which were tailored to our organisation. I have recently been promoted and this training came at a very good time for me. I have already enjoyed the chance to implement some of the theory and practise that I learnt through the training and this has helped me in my new, challenging role.

I felt that John Carter was a particularly good trainer. I benefited from his knowledge and experience and I enjoyed his training style which gave all delegates a chance to take part and get the most from the days.

Thanks again for an excellent series of training."

Mark Reilly, Voluntary Norfolk

"I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation and gratitude for the kind help and support that led me to present myself in a better way during the interview [for my internship placement]. I was chosen to be the successful candidate for the internship. Your encouragement and advice was very effective."

Wissam Albukhanajer, IT Support Engineer, Graduate Intern at Oilennium

"Thank you for working so well with us and ours and for putting together such a fantastic project that has been so utterly different from the norm. I think that is why it has been so special and so well received and attended."

Lindy Warmer, Senior Sustainable Economic Development Officer, Breckland Council

"I have received valuable support from Project Evolve and the [business] mentoring has surpassed my expectations. I hopefully will have a long lasting legacy of support from my Mentor. We will ask him to consider a non-executive role within our developing company. I will continue to seek support with Project Evolve through training."

Cheryl Willis, DisruptaTek Ltd