Employment support opens doors for social housing resident
Originally from Liberia, Kaba moved to Barking aged 17 for a new life and to be close to family members nearby.
A bright and motivated individual, with several qualifications under his belt, he previously won an award for the most outstanding student when studying a BTEC in Business at Havering College.
After living in a hostel for three years, he moved to an L&Q home in Dagenham. It was at this time that Kaba was introduced to his social landlord's employment service – a support offer that has proved a lifeline ever since.
The charitable housing association’s in-house team of advisers provides a free service to all residents and people living in their communities. Individuals looking for a job are offered tailored support to support them with their goals, whether it is their first step on the career ladder, or they are returning to work after time out of the labour market.
Kaba’s employment adviser, Shehla, helped him update his CV and assisted him with his job search. Beyond this, their relationship, and his with other L&Q advisors, have provided him with a knowledgeable presence to support him in carving out his career.
L&Q resident, Kaba
“Employment support has led me to find a path and purpose for myself. Shehla has been there for me ever since I met her. Whenever I need advice, I call her, and she says things that put my mind at ease”, Kaba said.
“A previous trainer, Ben, also played a big part in my personal growth. I used to be shy, and he encouraged me to speak up and told me I was an interesting person.”
As well as learning about the world of work, Kaba gained experience and references through placements at large corporations, including HSBC, Three mobile, and Trowers & Hamlins.
“All the placements gave me meaningful work experience with clear duties, responsibilities, and goals”, Kaba said.
“The first placement at HSBC boosted my confidence and improved my communication skills. I built on this experience at Three and was later offered a permanent paid role at my local branch and the flagship store on Oxford Street”, Kaba said.
“I worked as a Customer Services Advisor selling products to customers and assisting them with any queries they had. Working at the Oxford Street branch was an interesting experience. It was a busy environment, but my sales numbers were strong. I used to be shy but dealing with customers every day helped me get more comfortable talking to people face to face”, Kaba continued.
Kaba’s most recent placement was at Trower's & Hamlins in July of this year. The programme saw seven residents from diverse and underrepresented socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds complete two weeks of work experience at the top international law firm.
As well as gaining relevant, on-the-job experience, participants received £100 of clothing vouchers, lunch and travel allowances, and an additional £50 of vouchers on completion.
Successful candidates were chosen via an interview held during a day at the firm’s London office.
“The hiring process was a good experience as they put us through our paces. It was my first time taking part in an interview with two people, and it made me much more aware of my body language.”
During Kaba’s placement, he got to grips with the day-to-day operations of the company – filing documents, checking inboxes, and responding to ad hoc requests from a team of solicitors. The difference in the work environment from the shop floor to the office and interaction with colleagues versus customers helped Kaba adapt to new communication styles.
“I had to tailor my communication language now that I was working with colleagues rather than customers”, Kaba said.
With practical work experience on his CV, Kaba is now focusing on launching a career in the media. He is currently working towards a BTEC in Creative Media Skills and looking for a part-time role to supplement his studies. Kaba remains in close contact with Shehla and is grateful for the support he has received through L&Q’s employment support service.