Participant's story
This participant graduated from university with a degree in Sports but wasn’t too sure what step to take next. He was unemployed and not in any training or education. As he didn’t receive much career support from university and wanted help to build his CV, he was referred to Clanrye Group’s Family Foundations. He also wanted to gain employment and start earning some money.
Support from a Career Mentor
During his time with Family Foundations the participant completed several courses including an online Customer Service Course and basic First Aid.
He received support from a Career Mentor who helped to ensure his CV was up to date and that it included all his skills and qualifications. The Career Mentor also supported the participant with looking for jobs online, application forms and mock interviews, which helped to build his confidence.
Family Foundations supported the participant by applying for an Access NI check to help him progress into sports coaching/mentoring with another agency. His Career Mentor also made contact to help him get into sports coaching and mentoring with a local football club. In addition, she emailed some local sports groups to see if they would take the participant on for volunteering or work experience.
Full time employment
The participant has successfully gained full time employment working in Retail Customer Service, putting his skills into practice. He is also volunteering with a local semi-professional football team. This opportunity to job shadow is rare and the participant will get to watch and learn from some of the best managers and sports mentors in football within Northern Ireland.
The participant has also registered as a volunteer with Everybody Active and, in addition, will have the opportunity to support sport coaches out in the local community. This experience will be ideal for him to get into sports coaching, the subject he studied at university.
With regards to what he has gained from the programme, the participant says,
“The Career Mentor has not only helped me build a CV, look and apply for jobs and with mock interviews, but helped me build a career path and ideas for the future. My confidence has improved, and I feel better equipped going into the real world of work now.”
He adds,
“Staff were very helpful, supportive and willing to go above and beyond for me. I got more career support at Clanrye in such a short time than what I got before finishing my degree in university.”
When asked if he would recommend the project, the participant confirms, “Yes, I would definitely recommend Clanrye” and says that he has already told a family member about Family Foundations and passed on the Career Mentor’s contact details for her to get in touch. He adds, “I got what I needed in such a short space of time, great work, thanks.”