Restart Scheme
When he was referred from Walsall Job Centre Plus onto the Restart Scheme, James had been unemployed for more than 16 years and was in his 50s. But after securing work with help from his Job Coach, Chris at the Pathway Group, he says he’d recommend it to anyone who is unemployed.
In his own words James describes his experience, “First and foremost Chris boosted my confidence. I would leave my appointments on a high and was made to feel that the gap between my last job and now wasn’t a problem, which helped me feel that I would work in the future.”
As well as giving him hope that employment was achievable Chris helped James to identify his transferable skills so he could then develop a CV and cover letter template. He also encouraged him to attend career taster days and numerous jobs fairs.
From his perspective, James says, “The job fairs helped my networking skills and Chris identified skills that I could use in jobs that I wouldn’t have identified myself. That was how I started working at WIS International, as a stock and inventory counter. Chris saw my stock taking skills from previous jobs in hospitality management and knew that I could do the job capably.”
The strong relationship between the two didn’t end there. Once James had applied for and secured full time work, Chris arranged a travel pass so he could get to his new job whilst waiting for his first pay cheque. And he still checks in with James to make sure he is enjoying the job.
James concludes, “Chris and the Pathway team picked me up at my lowest and make me feel confident again. Without the Restart Scheme I believe that I would still be unemployed and would have been until I reached state pension age and retired. I really recommend the Restart Scheme to anyone that is unemployed.”
