After six years of sleepless nights and searching Lorna Rankin, from Cumnock, has successfully found a job, thanks to the help of the WEA Ayrshire Job Rotation Programme. Following serious childhood illness and a brain haemorrhage Lorna has had a lot of difficulty learning new skills, but her luck has changed and she has now finally found work at the Royal Hotel, Ayrshire.

Lorna had previously worked on a voluntary basis but it wasn't until a visit two years ago to see Kaye Gall, a Disability Employment Advisor at Cumnock Jobcentre, which led to her change in fortunes and introduced Lorna to the WEA Job Rotation Programme. Lorna says: "It is fantastic to have a job at last. I feel I have something to get up for in the morning and love working in the kitchen as there is always lots to do."

The WEA Job Rotation Programme was developed by the WEA in 1995 and was deemed 'highly successful' by HMI inspectors. The programme has been revised over many years to meet the local needs of many areas of Scotland. The main purpose of the programme is to provide education, in particular, core transferable skills and training to people who typically have low or no qualifications, who are unwaged or unemployed and also to those who are employed and would benefit from improving their core skills. By raising the skills of today's workforce and improving company development, Britain's economy is strengthened and better equipped to deal with global changes.

Lorna's new job as a kitchen porter has given her a new direction in life and Lorna is now hoping for a bright future for herself and daughter Carla. Lorna adds: "I have to say a big thank you to Kaye and Julie Morrison at Jobcentre Plus for all their encouragement and support. Also to everyone at the WEA Job Rotation where I really enjoyed getting out among people and started to feel more positive about getting a job." Rhona Weldon, The Royal's Operation Manager, says: "When I interviewed her she was well presented, well articulate and well prepared and her warm personality shone through" Lorna now feels that she is a much better role model for her daughter and is looking forward to a time when they are both working and can afford some luxuries.

For more information on the WEA Ayrshire Job Rotation Programme you can read the HMI case study of the programme here, or to visit the WEA Scotland website click here.