A support programme in Milton Keynes designed to help women get back to work proved to be just the job for former printer Colin Hunt.

Redundancy after 30 years in the print industry left him needing to learn job seeking skills for the first time. He discovered the world of work had changed a great deal over the decades.

The answer to Colin’s problems turned out to be right at home. His wife was already going along to sessions run by the independent charity Women and Work, supported by the European Social Fund through the Learning and Skills Council and was doing well. But, to start with, he wasn’t sure whether to approach the advisers at all; surely this project was only for women? His fears were groundless. Colin was quickly invited to join Women and Work’s Job Search Skills Course and the weekly Job Search Support Club.

‘From the first week, this was not a problem,’ explained Colin. ‘I was the only man on the course, but they made me feel very welcome and I felt my opinions were valued. Women and Work have been very supportive to me on a one-to-one basis, and I would recommend anyone, man or woman, to use this organisation.’

The programme gave Colin an understanding of how the job market had changed since he last looked for work, how modern CVs are drawn up and what employers look for when recruiting: ‘Since completing the course, I feel more confident in my ability to write letters for job vacancies, take part in interviews, and sell my skills to potential employers.’