Employment and skills case studies

Our employment and skills service helps residents find jobs or give their careers a much-needed change. Here, you’ll find the stories of two residents and how we supported them back into the world of work.

Anthony's story

The role of our employment and skills service is to prepare and support our residents back into the world of work or give their careers a much-needed change.

It's not only the practicalities of looking for work or developing a new career that the employment and skills service supports but also more holistic skills such as encouraging positive lifestyle choices and participation in social activities.

Since September 2021, the employment and skills service has supported L&Q resident Anthony Newman and his dream of becoming an HGV driver.

Anthony's story began when he secured a placement with CleanStart in February 2021. Working with Natasha Jenkins, Enterprise Coach at CleanStart, he significantly changed his lifestyle choices through investment and intensive support from Natasha and the CleanStart team.

Anthony said about his time with CleanStart:

"I've learnt so much from working and have completely changed my outlook, which will enable me to sustain future employment."

Anthony came to our Employment and Skills (E&S) Service team in September 2021, having worked with a member of the E&S team previously. This relationship helped Anthony to address personal issues in a constructive and supportive manner through regular face to face meetings.

The team encouraged and motivated Anthony to engage with employment opportunities and supported him with job applications and interviews. Natasha Bernard at the Working Wardrobe project provided Anthony with not only new clothes to attend interviews but the confidence and self-esteem that comes from feeling and looking the part.

Anthony has now secured his dream job as an HGV driver with Pickford's, a leading global logistics and removals company. With support from JobCentre Plus, the employment and skills service has secured another success in getting one of our customers into full-time employment.

Anthony had this to say about the time with the service and the help and support of the team:

"I am eternally grateful for all the support, understanding and commitment that I received through the employment and skills service.

"This job will lead to a permanent role that I am dedicated and committed to achieving.

"I will be taking the offer of training me to be an HGV driver as this is my opportunity to really change my life, and I'm not going to let my past stop that."

Tabbassum's story

Our Employment and Skills team recently had the pleasure of working with Tabbassum to support her on her employment journey.

Tabbassum accessed the employment and skills service by attending one of the Limelight drop-in sessions after losing her job in March 2020 due to family commitments and the pandemic.

Something Tabbassum was struggling with was completing the very long and often confusing job applications. So, once registered with the service, she was invited to a one-to-one job search session with our team who helped her to apply for several roles she was interested in.

Tabbassum soon heard back from a Care Assistant role and was then asked to complete an in-depth application form. With the Employment and Skills team’s support, they worked through the form, helping to showcase Tabbassum’s skills and experience for the role.

After being invited to an interview the Employment and Skills team was once again on hand to offer guidance through the interview process and were thrilled for Tabbassum who shined in her interview and was offered the Care Assistant position.

Tabbassum’s journey with the employment and skills service was not over yet; the team supported Tabbassum with new starter forms and put her in contact with Working Wardrobe who sourced work shoes for her to start her new role.

When asked about her experience with the service Tabbassum said:

“You have been very helpful and have supported me to get a job. I was not expecting to get a job so quickly but because of you and your service, I was able to. Once again, thank you so much.” 

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