CELTIC FC Foundation and Utilita were delighted to last week celebrate the conclusion of a joint 12-week employability and personal development project, which has seen 12 participants successfully complete the project, and progress into further opportunities.

Delivered at Celtic FC Foundation’s Learning Centre, with training sessions also held at Utilita’s Glasgow office and Contact Centre, the project worked with participants who were long-term unemployed and facing barriers to employment.

Through a mix of employability and healthy lifestyle sessions, the initiative aimed to place participants into destinations such as volunteering, education, training and ultimately, employment.  Throughout the project, Utilita provided motivational workshops and dedicated training in industry specific topics, while providing invaluable work experience to participants at their Glasgow Contact Centre.

In the project’s final phase, participants were given the incredible opportunity of interviewing for a permanent role within Utilita’s expanding Glasgow team.  And we are happy to report strong outcomes for the project, with four of the 12 participants – William Hollis, Aaron Machon, Mark McGhee and Richard Mullen, having now accepted permanent roles within the diverse Utilita team. 

A further three participants have been successful in gaining employment in the Celtic Park security team, while one participant has commenced a role at Glasgow Life, one has moved on to a further employability project and one has returned to school. All participants will continue to receive support from Celtic FC Foundation’s team when required.

To celebrate the project’s momentous achievements, a special event was held at the Jock Stein Lounge on Thursday, January 25. 

The afternoon consisted of contributions from both Utilita and Celtic FC Foundation, to thank participants and highlight the progress of each individual throughout their 12- week journey. Project participants then shared their own experiences, with speeches from new Utilita employees Aaron Machon and Richard Mullen.

The event culminated in a presentation to each participant by Celtic legend, Bertie Auld, who had visited the project in week one with a motivational talk, and continued to follow the participants’ journey throughout the 12-week term. 

Tony Hamilton, Chief Executive at Celtic FC Foundation, said: “When we talk about positive outcomes we aim to help people progress. Employment is one such outcome and I am delighted that so many people now have fresh starts.

“Sincere thanks to Utilita for investing in this and working so closely with us around this project. It’s important we all build on it and do more of the same to help more people in even more places.”

Jem Maidment, Head of Marketing and Communications at Utilita said: “It is remarkable to see the journey that the participants have been on and with the amazing support from Celtic FC Foundation, this project has improved their mental and physical wellbeing and the results have been phenomenal.

“Each individual has progressed immensely during the experience – we are all extremely proud of all the participants and delighted to welcome some of the guys to our Contact Centre in Glasgow.”