European Social Fund (ESF) case study - Springboard Opportunities 2 - Jobworks+

Participant's story

This participant was unemployed for several months before beginning JobWorks+ and decided to participate in their Health and Social Care programme.

She explained why she got involved:

“I wanted to be a part of something different. I was interested in Health and Social Care. It was something I had never done before. I had done a course before and I enjoyed it”.

Her goal was to gain experience, qualifications and employment.

Confidence and motivation

The participant had experienced issues with her health and reflected on this:

“The programme was something I had no experience in, I had a fear of the unknown and didn’t know what to expect. There was plenty that could have stopped me completing the programme because I had so much going on in the background. I’m a lot more confident and more motivated.”

Full-time employment

Through the programme, the participant received mentoring support from a JobWorks+ Employability Mentor and was successful in gaining full-time employment in a nursing home. She has been in her post as a Care Assistant for several months.

In addition, she has been given one-to-one practical support focused on increasing her employability and giving her the chance to progress in her new role. This included support in studying for her driving theory test and completing her Access NI and NISCC registration. Having passed her driving theory, she is currently undertaking driving lessons.

The participant says,

“I couldn’t not be working now. It helped me in finding you (JobWorks+); I wouldn’t have known who to turn to.” She adds, “I’ve gained a lot of experience from doing the programme; it has opened me up to more jobs in the future. This is my role for life. I’m now doing the job I’m supposed to do.”

The participant’s aim is to become a Care Assistant within a hospital setting and continues to get support from her JobWorks+ mentor in working towards this goal.