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Good news stories

“I have received a lot of support from Darlaston JET and their ’in-house’ partners, I wouldn't have gained full time work without their help”

 

Minesh (41) had been unemployed for 7 months after being made redundant from his last employer. As a resident of Darlaston, Minesh knew of the services on his doorstep at Darlaston JET, although he had never realised the amount of free advice and guidance available to him. On his way from walking to the local supermarket, Minesh decided to pop in to see what the team could do to support him back into work.

After an initial meeting with a Project Officer, it was recognised that Minesh had barriers to employment such as accessing local vacancies and transportation. Minesh had many transferable skills that could be utilised within all sorts of sectors, but just needed support in completing his application form with the support of Darlaston JET and Prospects.

Steve Pearcey, Darlaston JET Manager, works closely with employers and partner organisations such as Walsall College. The college were advertising a range of vacancies through Darlaston JET for local employers East End Foods.

The positions advertised included senior management, security, shelf stacking and warehousing, which Minesh was particularly interested in.

Minesh was invited to meet Kevin, Darlaston JETs in house Jobcentre Plus advisor. Kevin calculated how much better off Minesh would be in employment, spurring Minesh on to go for the interview at East End Foods.

Although nervous, Minesh sailed through his first and second interview before receiving a phone call and a letter of appointment as a Warehouse Operative.

Another partner organization of Darlaston JET, Work Wise, have assisted Minesh with his transport situation. East End have their operating centres on the Birmingham and Sandwell border, which necessitates both bus and tram travel from Darlaston. Work Wise have supplied Minesh with three months worth of travel vouchers which will help during the important initial transition into full time employment.

Minesh has now been in employment with East End Foods for just over a month and stated it is “brilliant” to be back in employment once again.

 

One Stop’ Shop lifts William into employment

William had been employed as a Fork Lift Driver over in Holland, but his FLT licence was not valid in the UK.  and so, with frustration and disappointment, William was finding work very difficult because he didn't hold a UK Fork Lift Truck licence.Having recently returned to the UK from Holland, William visited Work on the Horizon shortly after the Christmas break to utilise the   ‘One Stop’  job search facilities, such as the Jobcentre Plus job point, job booklets and boards.

Knowing that he had the skills and experience of operating a FLT was not enough for William to secure employment and on Williams initial interview with Project Officer Jenny, it was explained to William that funding was available to him, with the support from Walsall Council to re-take his test and achieve the recognised qualification he needed in securing future employment as an FLT driver.  William was booked in for the test and passed with flying colours.

As the ‘One Stop’ Shops facilities and additional support that William was receiving became more and more beneficial to him, William continued to visit the shop to look for new vacancies almost everyday. William also took advantage of the CV writing service available and had a CV written for him with his new qualification added.

The weeks past by and after tirelessly looking for work, a vacancy was advertised by a local employer for a General Operative and Fork Lift Truck Driver. William knew that this could be the job for him and applied straight away. William was called for an interview straight away and was given the job there and then. William has now been in work for over 3 months and is enjoying being back in employment.

  I am very grateful for the help and support I have received from the team at Work on the Horizon. They have been very supportive, if I hadn't of been able to receive funding to get my UK FLT licence I would still be unemployed” Added William

 

 

 

 

 

 

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