About Us
What is Careers-Action?
Careers-Action is a job search training charity providing help for managers and professionals experiencing or facing unemployment, career transition or seeking a return to work. We have brought together the professional knowledge and expertise of those who can help with specific aspects of the “executive” job search and combined it with the best practice experience of hundred’s of successful job seekers.
Our History
Established in late 2011 as Milton Keynes Executives Action (MKEA) by Founder and Leader Melvin Hurley. Following his personal experience of management job search, outplacement consultancy training and the lack of understanding and support available to executives job seekers he set up MKEA with the participative encouragement of fellow job seeker, Simon Goldburn, and former Milton Keynes North East MP and Milton Keynes Mayor, the late Brian White.
An introduction to Liz Gifford, Director at the Milton Keynes Economy and Learning partnership, resulted in a pilot programme was created to run in late 2011. Thanks to the facilitation, organisation and encouragement of Liz the pilot programme led to the operating model that continues today.
In August 2012 MKEA was formally incorporated as a Not-For-Profit Community Interest Company (company number: 8163828) with Melvin as the sole director. This enabled Milton Keynes Council to award MKEA a contract to become a Delivery Partner the Council’s Neighbourhood Employment Programme, thereby formalising the MKEA “service provision” and providing funding to help meet the operating costs of MKEA. Sadly, this ended when Government austerity cuts forced MK Council so change the job support programme.
Careers-Action was established as a registered charity in 2016 to provide training, information and support to managers, business professionals, recently qualified graduates facing or experiencing unemployment. Careers-Action is a UK Registered Learning Provider UKPRN: 10086966.
Careers-Action continues to be led by part-time volunteers. To meet our operating costs, we rely upon your donations to enable us to continue our work. Please help us by donating today.
Registered charity number: 1165296
Careers-Action is a charity for tax purposes in line with Paragraph 1 of Schedule 6 Finances Act 2010. This means we are able to claim Gift Aid on financial donations to the charity.
Our Management Team
Chief Executive Officer (Voluntary Part-Time)
Melvin Hurley – Leader and founder of Careers-Action, originally named Milton Keynes Executives Action in 2011, Melvin is now Chief Executive Officer of Careers-Action. A Chartered Marketer, with board-level management experience, Melvin has worked in both corporate and SME businesses nationally and internationally. Melvin’s past voluntary work has included coaching, management, lobbying and fundraising for an ice hockey club, contributing editor of a parish magazine, youth leadership and Ambassador for the Institute of Cancer Research “everyman” Appeal. Since starting Careers-Action Melvin has completed a PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector), Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development, and numerous other courses to help with Careers-Actions programme planning and delivery.
Our Trustees
Mike Leaf Chairperson. Quality Assurance Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS).
Andrew Stanley Treasurer. Business Manager at Emmaus Village Carlton. A Financial Executive with excellent communication skills and with significant experience of working in across a diverse range of businesses, leading, supporting and assisting management teams
John Dale Careers-Action Founder and Director Public Speaker, Business Networking specialist, Trainer, Conference Organiser and former senior NHS and Ambulance Service officer.
Ashley Jennings A highly effective, versatile retail merchandising and planning specialist.
Mark Orr Business mentor and print & direct marketing specialist. Owner Printing & Mailing, Chairman, The Business Growth Club.
Brian Barton Chairperson Elect. Committee and Member Services Officer at Woughton Community Council
Special Advisor
Peter Bellingham – Peter has over 20 years of experience with leading corporate providers following a career in international business development for large and small organisations. Experienced across all industries and disciplines and can, through experience, assess where skills/experience are transferable to another sector. Thinking outside the box is a core skill.
