Intraining helps launch new career in security for returning UK worker

Tuesday 7 August 2012 0:00

Clive Pearson has embraced a new career as a security guard securing the position through the Work Programme with support from national training and employability provider Intraining.

The 47-year-old was unable to find work on returning to the UK after the new life he had created for himself in America turned sour.

Due to the global economic slowdown Clive lost his construction job as lead cut man, struggled to find alternative employment and over the same period split from his wife.

Clive said: “I decided to return to Leicester, my home city, to find work and start again but the UK has also been going through tough times. I was unemployed for six months, living on Job Seekers Allowance and starting to lose confidence when I was introduced to Intraining.

“Nima, my Intraining adviser offered me a great deal of support and encouragement with finding work.  On my initial visit, we agreed on barriers into work and created an action plan to address my needs.

“I attended an ‘Infit’ Course run by the Intraining staff, to guide me through the specially designed activities to help me understand my own goals.  I also attended in house employment skills courses to create a CV and a draft letter of application.

“She also supported me with my job search on a one to one basis and really helped to ensure my confidence was restored by taking me through how to get the best out of an interview.

It was a long road back to employment for Clive for whom the regular support and retraining offered was invaluable.

He said: “I never had formal qualifications as I left school at 15 years old – so I thought I could use the position I found myself in as an opportunity to study and retrain with help from Intraining.”

Clive gained his Security Industry Authority badge and National Vocational Qualifications in English and Maths.

Intraining Employment Engagement Advisor, Nima Gohil, said: “Rather than let a difficult situation get the better of him, Clive took an active role in getting back to work.

“He took his prolonged period of unemployment as an opportunity to undertake academic qualifications for the first time in his life, and after careful consideration decided upon a career as a security guard - gaining the all-important SIA badge.”

Clive’s hard work eventually paid off when in June this year he was interviewed for a security post. He was initially interviewed by Anna Cooper, employment and skills manager for international consultancy and construction company, Mace.

She said: “Clive had obviously prepared well for the interview and showed great determination in getting qualified for work in security.”

Anna put him in touch with security contracting company Elliot Thomas, the UK’s leading provider of construction services, who were able to offer him a contracting opportunity at Project Fox – the site of two huge new data centres under construction in Leicester.

John Titmus, Clive’s manager at Elliott Thomas Security, said: “Clive was obviously well prepared for his return to work and since starting here he has settled in well on site. His diligent approach to his job and hardworking attitude has enabled him to perform to the high standard we require.”

Clive is very happy to be back into a working routine after a long period of unemployment.

He said: “When you are out of work it is easy to get into a negative mind set but working with the team at Intraining enabled me to re-evaluate my approach and have the courage to try something new.”

“When working in security you receive a level of responsibility and work as an essential part of a team which are elements of the job I really enjoy.”

Employment Minister, Chris Grayling, said:

"The Work Programme is radically changing the way we deliver back to work support in this country.

"Jobseekers are getting expert help so they can find work again and taxpayers are getting a good deal because we only pay companies for the results they achieve.

"Clive is proof that Work Programme partners such as Intraining are achieving results and getting people back to work."