After getting a boost to his confidence Andrew got his dream job as a care assistant
; Posted on July 12, 2010
Andrew Good spent ten years unemployed on benefits while caring for his wife. Before that he worked in a supermarket, which he found “unfulfilling”. He wanted something more rewarding. He’s been a care assistant for over six months now and says it’s given him a new outlook on life. After spending so long caring for his wife Andrew found he had the compassionate nature required to succeed in a career in care. He heard about Care Training East Midlands (CTEM) in April 2009 through an advice centre in Forest Fields and gave us a call.
Following a one-to-one appointment with CTEM adviser Jessica Grice, Andrew was referred on to the Progression to Employment in Care, a six week programme which has now been replaced. The programme gave Andrew the opportunity to gain the up-to-date underpinning knowledge required for working in care. It included regular meetings with Jess to ensure he was succeeding in his journey.
Throughout the six weeks Andrew completed a variety of work-specific training needed to find work in care, including Health & Safety in the Care Setting, First Aid, PoVA (Protection of Vunerable Adults) and Principles of Care. He also covered a range of employability techniques. These supported him to apply for jobs in care. They also gave him the confidence he needed when attending interviews.
Andrew initially wanted to work in a hospital. Nevertheless, when on the programme he found out about all the varieties of care work that he could do which encouraged him to look for a job as a care assistant.
He applied for a care assistant position at Adbolton Hall, a nursing home for elderly people with dementia in West Bridgford, Nottingham. He was invited for an interview on the day of his birthday and got the ideal present when he was told he’d got the job straight after the interview. Jess, his adviser at CTEM, says of Andrew’s success, “He has always been a star and worked hard. I am so pleased he has found a job – it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.”
Six months on and Andrew has settled in well at Adbolton Hall. Julie, Andrew’s manager at Adbolton Hall, says, “Andrew’s shown empathy, commitment, reliability and trustworthiness at the company. This shows the calibre of people and the appropriateness of the training delivered by CTEM. The programme gives people like Andrew the opportunity to get noticed by employers and succeed where they may not have otherwise done so.”
Of his experience with CTEM, Andrew says, “It has been fantastic. It’s given me confidence and a new outlook on life! This really is my dream job.”
