College takes care to help job seekers
Job hunters are going back to college to get back into work.
Newark College is working with Newark Jobcentre Plus to help people find work in the care sector.
A range of pre-employment training is being offered through Making the Connection, a recruitment and skills service.
Mr Andrew Wilson (48) of Winston Court, Newark, struggled to find another job after the roofing manufacturer he worked for went into liquidation.
“I always wanted to work in the care sector but found that my lack of experience and qualifications meant my applications were rejected,” he said.
After a review with Newark Jobcentre Plus, Mr Wilson decided to take a care training course at the college.
The course involved working closely with care homes and offered continuing support as he looked for work. It also included CV writing, interview tips, medicine handling and literacy skills.
Mr Wilson said: “I was unemployed and getting nowhere in applying for jobs in care homes. This course has been brilliant.
“Not only do I now have a job, it’s in an area I’d always wanted to work in.
“Having the employers involved in the training was very helpful as we really got to know the people we want to work for.”
Mr Wilson completed the course at the end of April and now works at The Oaks Care Centre, Balderton.
“Without doing this course I don’t think I’d have stood much of a chance getting into care work,” he said.
Mr Wilson hopes to go on to study for an NVQ in care work.
Miss Karen Baines (26) of Millgate, Newark, worked in care homes before moving into retail.
She lost her job in 2007 and decided to return to the care sector but found that her time away meant much had changed.
“There were rules and procedures I just didn’t know about,” she said.
She learned about the care training course through Jobcentre Plus.
“It’s great to know we are being supported to help find work and train further, even after we’ve finished the course,” she said.
Due to the success of the care training course, another one is due to start soon. The assessment date for the next care training course in on Monday.
More information is available from Newark Jobcentre Plus.
