Gateway and Employability Courses - Learner Profiles

Zarah Marshall

I moved to Blackpool because of domestic violence and did not have a clue about what I was going to do. After living in Blackpool for over a year I was still unemployed, had no qualifications and very few people I could rely on. I attended Job Centre Plus every six months for a review with my advisor and this is when I was told about the Employability and Skills Programme (ESP) at Seasiders Learning Centre.

I agreed to go on the course to study Maths and English but, at the same time I was petrified at the thought of not knowing anyone. I had no friends or family in Blackpool but when I came to Seasiders I made lots of friends, some of whom I am still in contact with today. During the course I achieved my adult English level 1 and adult Maths level 1.

The job brokers at Blackpool and The Fylde College put me forward for an interview with Argos, Blackpool. I had a mock interview with a job broker and felt that I was now ready for the interview with Argos. Approx one week after my interview with the employer I received a phone call from Argos telling me the good news that I had been successful.

This made me feel proud of myself but what made it special is that my children were extremely proud of me. I also see my gaining employment as a good example to my children that employment pays. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chris Barker (Argos manager) for giving me the opportunity to work for him and thanks for been a great manager.

Although I have gained experience at Argos the job finished after the festive period so I am now actively seeking work and positively searching for new opportunities.

Helen Harvey

When Helen first started the IGEN course, she stated that her confidence was at an all time low. She couldn’t apply for jobs and she had never had a CV. She had an idea of where she would like to go but never thought it possible that she would ever follow any real path.

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Helen had gone through transformations in her private life. At times she never felt that she had a future. Even suicide featured in her thoughts on a regular basis. She described it as a miserable existence. She felt that she lived in darkness with no hope of a light at the end of the tunnel.

She felt that now was the time to channel her life to a different pathway.

During the course, Helen found that she enjoyed working with people. She was so enthusiastic about the future that she applied for numerous jobs. Her confidence was rising day by day. She loved helping others and this realisation was helped by the fact that her last voluntary post involved helping others also.

The decision to work with people was eased as the course went on and she has now decided to become a teacher. She has a goal and her motivation to reach that goal is growing stronger.

Her self esteem and confidence has led her to gain employment during the Employability course. This has given her clear direction to support her overall aim for the future.

Helen stated ‘It’s one of the best things I’ve done since leaving school. I can’t believe that this is happening to me. I have always enjoyed English, but I never thought that it would lead me to the impossible goal of teaching. Everyone, including my friends and family have noticed the difference in me. I’m concentrating and thinking about my future rather than my past.’

Helen has gone on the achieve L2 Literacy, L1 Numeracy and L1 Employability.

Helen concludes by stating, ‘I’d recommend the course to anybody. Anyone who doubts themselves will find themselves achieving more than they thought they could have imagined. If they can apply themselves and put in the effort then they will be rewarded.’