MtW Youth Ambassador Samuel Meakings, now a Youth Employability Coach at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). After years of struggling to find permanent work, he has been helping young people into jobs throughout the pandemic: “I have come full circle. I have suffered the stress and lack of confidence that comes with a long path to the world of work, but starting with the Movement to Work programme, I have spent the last few years building a career I love. Now I am now a Youth Employability Coach. The work is so rewarding, but I know first-hand that our young people need willing employers more than ever.”

“I’m three weeks-in and love it. I work with lots of other people my age so it’s fun, but I also feel useful and like I’m contributing at home,” concludes Mia, who lives with her mum and brother. “Christmas will certainly be much cheerier now I have a job.”

For 19 year-old Mia Beresford from Garston, facing a job interview with a major supermarket chain was a daunting prospect. With just one day to go, Mia’s first appointment with an Ingeus employment coach was perfect timing.

Mia found herself searching for full-time work after closely missing the required A-level grades for her university course. With various part-time work experience under her belt the determined teen set about applying for roles but struggled to make progress as she juggled her efforts with lockdown complications.

Mia’s Work Coach, Sarah Brannon at Garston Jobcentre Plus recommended the new WHP Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS) Programme, which provides one-to-one employability support geared at getting people back to work quickly during the pandemic. Ingeus delivers WHP JETS in the north west and Mia was contacted by employment coach Joanne Carter the day before her interview at Tesco Extra in Toxteth.

“I was worried about how I’d handle my interview so having someone on hand to give me some practical tips was great,” said Mia. “Joanne knew a lot about working in retail and customer service, so we went through some example interview questions and answers. We also talked about what questions I might ask at the interview which really made me think. It was a great tip and made me much more confident on the day. The interviewer even commented that I’d asked her a great question!”

Mia was successful and now works as a full-time customer service assistant in the fresh food department of the store. Joanne has also been on hand to ensure Mia’s start date and induction went smoothly.

“I’m three weeks-in and love it. I work with lots of other people my age so it’s fun, but I also feel useful and like I’m contributing at home,” concludes Mia, who lives with her mum and brother. “Christmas will certainly be much cheerier now I have a job.”

Mia is undecided whether to take up a deferred university place to study a different course next year and for now is thankful to be gaining valuable employability experience, while also helping her mum pay the household bills. 

WHP JETS is a separate strand of the Work and Health Programme (WHP) and is commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions, with support from the European Social Fund. Ingeus supports the delivery of JETS in the North West, Greater London, Greater Manchester, the North East, and Central areas.

“Being back in work has given me purpose and stability again. I may be based at home, but for me that’s the safest place right now. It’s still helped me to calm my nerves and meet new people. I really enjoy it and hope that it will show any future potential employers that I’ve been usefully employed despite lockdown.”

Beth, a participant in Cumbria  supported by the JETS employability programme has described the stability and focus that being back in full time work has given her.

Beth McMullen, who is 25 and lives in Workington, had found being unemployed during the pandemic a profound challenge. Made redundant from her hospitality role and forced to shield due to severe asthma, Beth’s mental health deteriorated as her numerous job applications hit a wall of silence.

“Anxiety took hold and I started experiencing panic attacks,” explains Beth. “It was so frustrating not hearing back about applications and I was limited in what I could apply for.”

Beth was referred to the WHP JETS (Work and Health Programme Job Entry Targeted Support)by her Jobcentre Plus Work Coach and began remote sessions with Ingeus’s Claire Furness.

Ingeus delivers JETS across the north west region. The programme provides light-touch support to recently unemployed people, getting them back to work quickly. It is commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions and receives support from the European Social Fund.

“Claire helped me to develop my CV and ran through mock interview questions to prepare me for returning to work,” continued Beth. “She also gave me tips on relaxation and breathing exercises to combat my nerves. When she found a suitable telephone-based customer service role for me working from home, I was in a much stronger position to successfully apply.

“I am so glad to have had that support. I’ve met lots of nice people in my new job, albeit virtually. It’s a whole new network of friends, many of whom seem to have had similar concerns and experiences as me.”

“The BT Work Ready Programme opened my eyes to the vast reservoir of abilities I have”.

“Knowing what I had to offer to potential employers has helped create belief in myself and my potential and how I could use them to work collaboratively with a team to create something wonderful. It greatly improved my confidence moving forward in applying for work knowing exactly what I had to offer to potential employers.”

Naji is a 24 year old Somalian from a large family. He has never worked and was lacking in confidence. He had received knock-backs due to lack of experience and confidence. He had no firm direction or idea of what he wanted to do.

He was caseloaded by Shakila,  a progression coach who talked to him about his interests and aspirations. She helped him apply for an apprenticeship at Jaguar Landrover and referred him to a Sector-based Work Academy (SBWA) with Monarch Education. However there were very few jobs immediately available as it was near the end of the school year when he completed the SBWA.

Naji was referred to BT Work Ready to boost his confidence and give him some experience in a working environment. A month later, at the BT Celebration event, Naji’s progress was clear; his confidence had increased, and he spoke to visitors about the project he had been working on and his future hopes. He was happy and smiling and was an obvious leader in his group.

As Shakila does not work in the Summer holidays, Corinne worked with him to explore further vacancies and ensure he was still receiving support from a BT adviser who would keep in touch about once a month. He said he would like to try working in retail. Prince’s Trust were doing a Get into Retail course so he went to their taster day.

He enrolled on the Prince’s Trust course which consisted mainly of a work placement with Marks and Spencer. During the placement he moved house and changed jobcentre to Birmingham Central. Shakila kept in touch with him during the placement.

At the end of the placement he had a job interview with Marks and Spencer and successfully started work. Naji’s experience at BT boosted his confidence to help him excel at Marks and Spencer/Prince’s Trust.

Amy was home-schooled and achieved few qualifications. She started a course in hospitality but soon dropped out. She lacked confidence and self-belief and never thought she would work anywhere like Marks & Spencer.

Amy was offered a Marks & Start placement scheme at M&S. Her mentor said that it was a difficult decision as Amy was so shy, however they changed their minds and she was included in the scheme. Before this, Amy had never worked.

Amy said that the scheme was perfect for people like her who had little behind them in the way of qualifications.

Amy was delighted when she was offered a permanent role. When she began the scheme she was reluctant to speak to anybody; now she deals with customers on a range of issues as a customer assistant. Amy has  now been with M&S for three years.

Lesley completed Diageo Learning for Life Bartending and Hospitality Course in Glasgow.

Lesley had previously managed her own successful business but life took a turn when (due to landlord issues) she lost her business and, subsequently, her home. She decided to start at college and her passion for hospitality grew.

She applied for and was accepted on to the Learning for Life course, completed this (gaining the opportunity to work at a fantastic VIP event) and she is now working part time at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow as well as completing her HND in Hospitality.  Lesley recently completed the Diageo Alumni Ambassador course and is keen to promote her passion for hospitality to others.

Shaun completed the Diageo Learning for Life course in Birmingham. Before the course, he rarely left the house as he lacked the confidence to do so. Having completed a work placement with Browns Brasserie as part of the Diageo Learning for Life scheme he was subsequently offered full time employment with them.

Ryan completed a Diageo Learning for Life course in Fife. On completion of the course, he secured a live-in position as a Bartender in the Macdonald Hotel in Aviemore which he is really enjoying. Before the course, living and working away from home was just a dream – the course gave Ryan the confidence to do so.