Martin Bates had been unemployed for 3 years before enrolling onto the Fork Lift Truck New Deal programme (now replaced by Routes into Work Logistics) with Central Skills at the Bilborough Warehouse. This course provides individuals with underpinning knowledge across fork lift truck driving and working within a warehouse environment.

Martin attended the programme every week day for 13 weeks. When he wasn’t undergoing training in the warehouse, he was receiving support from the New Deal recruitment advisers in job searching.

Central Skills acknowledges the importance of Literacy and numeracy within the workplace and its benefits to reduce waste and increase profits, so they supported Martin to achieve his Adult Literacy and Numeracy Certificates (GCSE equivalent).

Martin also completed his RTITB Fork Lift Truck licence, making him ready to start work straight away within the warehouse environment, and completed courses in IT skills. Martin appreciates the improvements he has made in Literacy and numeracy and recognises its importance on his CV as an up-to-date qualification.

MKG Foods engaged with Central Skills as they had a vacancy for a three week unpaid placement. MKG Foods were not under any obligation to take on the candidate who undertook the work trial. It was an opportunity for MKG Foods to gain an extra body in the workplace and for the selected learner to gain some experience in a warehouse environment.

Martin really enjoyed his placement. This obviously shone through in the workplace as Wayne, the manager at MKG Foods, employed Martin on a permanent basis as an order picker.

It was an opportunity for Martin to prove his abilities within the workplace and for MKG Foods to experience the high level of dedication from the learners at Central Skills. Now, Martin completes mostly night shifts as an employee for MKG Foods. New Deal students from Central Skills can be flexible with their shift patterns.

After his experiences with Central Skills, Martin said he would “recommend the programme to a friend”. Martin has been in his job now for 9 months, at the moment he is happy where he is and appreciates having a job and earning money.

This case study of MKG Foods and Martin is a strong example of the partnership between Central Skills and local businesses across Nottingham. The free recruitment service offered through Central Skills is a great opportunity to trial a new member of staff or to simply get an extra set of hands for three weeks.

The free service includes Central Skills short listing the most eligible candidates to the requirements of an organisation, before the final selection being made by the recruiting organisation. What is more, the free service saves the recruiting organisation time and money allowing more focus on what’s important; the running of the business.

If your organisation needs a member of staff for a short period of time or would like to find out how to recruit a member of staff for free then please click here for more information.

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