Media Coverage

Milton Keynes News 24 July 2013

MKWeb 17 July 2013Former Shadow Employment Minister Stephen Timms MP
This article was written by Jessica Duncan and published on The MKWeb on 17 July 2013 when Careers-Action was known as Milton Keynes Executives Action.

LABOUR’S Shadow Employment Minister was in Milton Keynes today (Wednesday) to speak at a jobs club’s networking event. Stephen Timms joined other Labour general election candidates at Milton Keynes Executives Action’s (MKEA) networking event, where he praised the club as leading the way for others across the country. MKEA offers networking opportunities and targeted training to out of work professionals so they can return to employment or establish their own business. Todays’ event included many speakers, networking workshops, small business stalls and the chance for skilled professionals, who are out of work or about to be through redundancy, to talk with others in their situation. Melvin Hurley, director of MKEA, said: “So far the day has been successful with over 100 people attending. “Our objective is to raise the profile of MKEA’s action, who since last January, have helped over 100 people with over 60 per cent getting back into employment. “MKEA holds free meetings every Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, similar to the one like today, to discuss networking such as the use of Linked In and financing for small businesses, which is all very important for self-employment.” Labour’s Milton Keynes general election candidates expressed how MKEA is leading the way in getting out of work professionals back on the payroll and should be rolled out across the South East. In the week when the coalition government introduced the Benefit Cap in a bid to get people back to work, Emily Darlington, candidate for Milton Keynes North, said others should follow the lead of MKEA if they really want to make a difference. She said: “This week the Benefit Cap was introduced but it’s not going to help people find work. The MKEA members are all experienced professionals who have a lot to offer and they also desperately want a job. Luckily they are getting the targeted training and tailored support that they need but so many aren’t and that means employers and job-seekers are losing out.” MKEA is run completely by volunteers, such as client service director of Brooklands Executive Ltd, Clive Bennett, who gives careers advice and smaller workshops for those attending meetings. Mr Bennett said: “After once being on the other side of the fence, I find it as one way of giving something back and helping these skilled people who are just lacking the opportunities and support.”