From North Glasgow to the Scottish Parliament

THE ACHIEVEMENTS of a training project set up to help people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds secure jobs in the housing sector has been celebrated in the Scottish Parliament.

Positive Action Training in Housing PATH (Scotland) was invited to a Parliamentary Reception in Holyrood by Glasgow MSP Bill Kidd. They were joined by housing representatives from across the country.

PATH Scotland trainee Kofi Ampofo-Asare, who is currently on placement with North Glasgow Housing Association, attended the event along with Corporate Services Manager Alison McCann.

Kofi, who is also currently working as an assistant housing officer with the Association, was among the guests to address MSPs in Committee Room 4.

He explained of how he struggled to find relevant employment despite having a Business Degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Human resources before finding the PATH (Scotland) programme.

Kofi said afterwards: “I was pleased to attend the reception. It gave me more insight into how people are trying to solve the ongoing problem of BME communities being underrepresented in not only the housing sector but other sectors as well.

“It also gave me the opportunity to tell the MSPs about the Association’s good work in promoting social inclusion.”

Over the past 10 years PATH (Scotland) programme has helped over 226 trainees from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities secure employment a fact that was highlighted by Bill Kidd MSP.

He said: “PATH (Scotland) don’t just place people from BME communities in jobs and leave them to get on with it, they provide training and support of a very high standard and actually empower people to make the best of themselves and contribute to the whole Scottish community.”

Director of PATH (Scotland), Najimee Parveen, said: “We were delighted to be invited to a reception at the Scottish Parliament to inform MSPs of the valuable work the organisation does in enabling BME Communities to access employment in Housing.

“MSPs from across the political spectrum attended the event and commented on the excellent work being carried out.”

• Pictured from left to right are PATH (Scotland) Director Najimee Parveen, Bill Kidd MSP, North Glasgow HA Assistant Housing Officer, Kofi-Ampofo Asare, North Glasgow HA Corporate Services Manager Alison McCann, PATH (Scotland) Operations Manager Mags MacLaren and PATH (Scotland) Chairperson Shamin Akhtar.

For further information please contact:

John Egan,
Communications Officer,
North Glasgow Housing Association,
0141 560 6000