Every year our Community Employment Advisors help hundreds of people into new jobs or training, and they know that each employment journey is unique.
Whether you’re looking to get back into the job market or looking for a change from your current role, the team has the advice and expertise to make it happen. Our advisors are on hand to help throughout your journey, whatever it may look like.
WDH customer James* first came to the Community Employment Advice team (CEA) in February 2024 as he was struggling with some areas of his current job. He’d been searching for other jobs and had found a position he thought would be more suitable.
Our Community Employment Advisor, Sarah Aucott, supported him in updating his CV and completing an application form for the new job and also suggested options to address some of the concerns with his current role. James secured an interview for the new position but decided to stay at his original job as, following his contact with Sarah, he had successfully negotiated more support from his manager.
He said the whole process had boosted his self-confidence and left him feeling that he could successfully apply to other roles in the future. For James, that future came sooner than expected when he felt he needed to increase his hours to a full-time role.
In May 2024, he applied for another job using the information and support he’d gained from the CEA team previously. He met Sarah again at his local library to discuss interviews and they went through potential questions he could be asked and information and examples he could give in response.
Shortly after, he attended the interview and was very pleased that he was offered the position. Speaking about his experience with the CEA team, James said: “Thank you Sarah for all your hard work and patience supporting me on my journey back into full time employment.
“I always find application forms challenging and interviews anxiety provoking even though I have enough knowledge and experience to be applying for the job. You’ve been super helpful with building my confidence, actively listening and not piling on the pressure while I was figuring out the direction I was going to take.
“In practical terms I found your support filling out application forms, updating my CV, and preparing for interview invaluable. Your flexible approach to engaging with me to provide support by email, over the phone and in person has allowed me to fit all of this in, in the most manageable way around my current schedule.
“All this made my recent job offer possible. I believe I’ll be able to continue to improve on the skills you’ve helped me develop under my own initiative. However, it is reassuring to know that WDH has excellent advisors if I do need help in the future.
“I really can’t recommend the service you provide enough, and I have and will continue to make recommendations to others. On the multiple occasions where I have referred friends and acquaintances on to you, the feedback has been consistent with my own experience.
“Thank you for being great at your job, caring about what you do and making a positive impact in the community.”
Our Community Employment Advisors have helped more than 4,500 people, referring over 2,700 to appropriate training and supporting over 1,400 into employment.
To find out more contact the team on 01977 788825 or email [email protected].
*We have changed James' name to protect his identity.
