Starting from scratch, Ceredigion resident gains confidence and lands his first ever job!

David, a Cardigan resident, was out of work and looking for a job.

He was unsure what direction to take to find the right one for him especially as he had received support from different employment programmes in the past which hadn’t worked out. David’s work coach at the local job centre directed him to discuss his options with the Communities for Work+ team.  With the support and opportunities provided by the team, David is now working five days a week as a kitchen porter at Crwst, a popular cafe and bakery situated in Cardigan.

Finding the right role for David was challenging as he hasn’t got a driving licence and despite volunteering a few days a week at Barnados charity shop, had never entered the world of paid work before so was lacking in experience, confidence and the right support needed for him.

Members of the Communities for Work+ team Delor Evans, Mentor, and Catrin Davies, Employers Liaison Officer, supported David in improving his confidence through putting him forward on a confidence-building course, conducted job search sessions, applied for various jobs, offered mock interviews to prepare him as well as helping him to build his CV.

During a job search, David considered a kitchen porter role being advertised on Facebook. After being advised to call in to have an informal chat with the employer, which David did, he got offered a work trial. The work trial went well and David was offered the job at Crwst.

David enjoys being a part of a team and working in his first-ever paid job and was grateful for the support provided by Ceredigion’s Communities for Work+ Team.
Catrin from Crwst said: “David is an excellent kitchen porter and takes real pride in his work. He plays a vital role in ensuring that brunch service runs smoothly on a daily basis. It is a pleasure to have him as part of Team Crwst.”

Councillor Catrin Miles, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member for Schools, Lifelong Learning & Skills, Support and Intervention, said: “If your story sounds similiar to David’s and you’re still trying to enter the world of work, get in touch with Ceredigion’s Communities for Work+ Team now and you too could soon have that support, training and skills needed to get that job that’s just right for you. The Team are currently supporting approximately 80 people through the project and are on hand to help even more find the right employment.”

Communities For Work+ is a Welsh Government funded project, delivered by Ceredigion County Council which supports individuals in or at risk of poverty, aged 16 or over, across Ceredigion and throughout Wales. Participants may be experiencing in-work poverty, unemployment, living on minimum wage or struggling to pay basic monthly outgoings on sporadic zero hour contracts.

Mentors provide 1:1 support for participants with writing CV’s, undertaking mock interviews, up-skilling and funding a wide variety of training including help with starting up their own business.

If you think the project may be able to help you or if you would like more information, contact the team on 01545 574193 or email TCC-EST@ceredigion.gov.uk.