Case Studies

Case Study - Anthony

When Anthony first came to the nextstep Service he didn't feel confident enough to apply for work, saying he didn’t feel 'job-ready'. Anthony had experience of working in catering, so the nextstep adviser began by helping him review the skills he already had, and started to build his confidence.

The nextstep adviser also suggested that voluntary work could be a useful first step to towards his goal of employment. To find out more, the adviser contacted the Middlesbrough Voluntary Development agency and found some catering placements for him.

Most recently, Anthony has gained a food hygiene certificate which has proved to be a big turning point - removing another barrier to a successful career in catering.

More recently Anthony has felt ready to return to paid employment and has applied for several catering jobs. The nextstep adviser has helped Anthony contact the Local Employment Partnership and get more support with his jobsearch.

Anthony is also currently working towards level 2 Numeracy with Middlesbrough Adult Education Service. Anthony’s longer term goal is to attend FE College and gain a qualification in catering.

Anthony's nextstep adviser says “I have been very impressed with Anthony's enthusiasm and motivation. His confidence has grown and he has developed a much more positive outlook on working. It's clear that the support he has received is really helping him move towards his career goals.”

Case Study - John

John came to nextstep after leaving his job as a delivery driver. Although he had always worked, John wished he’d tried harder at school and gone into a trade. He had always wanted to be a plumber, and discussed this with his nextstep adviser.

John is 29 and found that this prevented him from getting a place on an NVQ course or finding a work placement. Hartlepool College agreed to provide a place on the course if John could find an employer for his placement.

John's nextstep adviser was able to help by working on John’s CV and hel;ping him to write a letter for potential employers, outlining John’s strengths and potential. The process was quite slow and John had many ups and downs, particularly when he didn’t receive any responses to his letters. But he didn't give up, and after a few weeks a local company responded; inviting him for an interview. John was successful in the interview, taken on by the company and started his NVQ course at Hartlepool College.