Helene’s Success With CEIS Ayrshire
Background
Helene was referred to CEIS Ayrshire for Employability Support via the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in Kilbirnie after being made redundant from a long-term position. As a single parent, Helene was preparing to return to work after her son started school. However, her confidence was low, and she was uncertain about her career direction after raising her family and experiencing redundancy. She was looking for a change and hoped to explore new opportunities.
Initial Assessment
During Helene’s registration process, an in-depth discussion took place to identify her goals and aspirations. Helene expressed a strong desire to restart her career in administration but felt this opportunity had passed her by. Together with her keyworker, Ian, a tailored support plan was developed. This included:
- Employability Workshops: Delivered via Zoom, these sessions helped Helene refresh her understanding of the employment process and rebuild her self-confidence.
- Accredited Qualifications: Helene gained qualifications in various business sectors to enhance her employability.
- Flexible Planning: Recognising her role as a single parent and the challenges posed by limited public transport in the Garnock Valley area, suitable employment options were explored.
Support and Progress
Helene and her keyworker began meeting regularly to work on:
- CV Development: Updating her CV to highlight her skills and experiences effectively.
- Online Job Applications: Applying for roles through platforms like Indeed, MyJobScotland, and council job boards.
- Skill Building: Boosting her confidence through mock interviews and competency-based question preparation.
Despite initially being unsuccessful in securing roles with North Ayrshire Council (NAC), Helene’s confidence grew, and she remained focused on returning to an administration role.
Breakthrough Opportunities
An opportunity arose through North Ayrshire Council’s Skills for Life Funding for a six-month paid administration role. Helene was shortlisted for an interview, and her keyworker provided intensive support, including preparation for competency-based interview questions. While she narrowly missed out due to competition from a candidate with more recent experience, this experience laid the groundwork for future success.
Shortly after, Helene was invited to interview for a similar role with NAC. This time, her preparation, confidence, and experience gained through CEIS Ayrshire paid off—she was successful! Helene is now completing a five-week PC Passport Qualification course in preparation for starting this new role after the school holidays.
Client Feedback
Helene shared her thoughts on her journey with CEIS Ayrshire:
Skills Gained/Improved:
“I have got better with speaking to new people, using Microsoft Teams, and gaining the confidence to speak online to others. I have learned to be more confident in myself in general. I also have completed 5 online courses since starting with CEIS.”
Suggestions for Improvement:
“To be honest, I would not change a thing as I believe the programme is great. I can’t fault it.”
Impact on Employment Prospects:
“Yes, I do. I had no experience in what really goes into looking for jobs and how to present yourself at interviews. But now, having that experience and skills helped by CEIS, I believe I am more confident in how to manoeuvre my way into looking and finding employment.”
Support from Advisor:
“Ian really helped me overcome some of the worries I had about going back into the world of work after being made redundant back in November. He has pushed me to think about what I am capable of doing and bettering myself. He has helped my confidence in my skills and encouraged me to gain new ones through online courses, which I probably wouldn’t have done without his support. Ian has been an amazing help in my journey back into employment.”
Get in Touch
If you need support getting into work, please use the contact form below.
