Former SSI worker says he's STILL waiting for training

Mike Gilbert says he hasn't been offered training since November.

Published 17th Feb 2016

A former SSI worker says he's still waiting for training opportunities, five months after the closure of the Redcar site.

Mike Gilbert was a union rep at the Redcar site, and despite a job offer says he hasn't had the training he was promised.

He's now set up a Facebook page for workers like him called 'SSI: What Training?'.

It already has over 100 likes.

The 51-year-old said: "We have no skills that are transferable so we need skills to get a job.

"Yes we have money, but that money is running out.

"Nothing is moving, it was in November I applied for all this training and it's now mid-February.

"Nearly five months I've been out of work, it's like banging my head against a brick wall."

Many workers have gone into work and training.

Redcar and Cleveland Council estimate that there's now 1000 people back in full-time work.

We contacted them for a statement.

Amanda Skelton, Chair of the SSI Task Force said: “Our aim is to get people back into work as soon as possible and there has been a huge demand for training.

"So far over 5000 training courses have been approved for 2300 people, with around £4million spent.

"If anyone is having difficulty accessing training we would ask them to get in touch with the Task Force at ssitaskforce@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk