Tom had worked as a self employed builder for about 7 years. After recently finishing a prison sentence, he wanted to upgrade his skills in the trade and go back to work as quickly as possible. He had been referred by Jobcentre Plus so that he could gain the support he needed to apply for a position with the Child Support Agency.

Theresa, a Skills Broker with Working Links, met Tom in Hastings while he was on license from prison. Theresa explained to Tom that she could offer him 1-2-1 help with the online application form for the CSA and a place on a pre employment course run by the Sussex Skills Team to prepare him for the interview with the CSA.

Tom’s application was successful and subsequently he was invited to an Assessment Day with the CSA. He passed a numeracy and literacy test but failed on the telephone role play.

Theresa spent more time with Tom as he was very keen to get support on creating a good, up to date CV, how to disclose his conviction to a potential employer and learn how to craft a covering letter.

Tom was very pro active and booked himself on to a one day course at Hastings College where he acquired his CSCS card which would allow him to work on building sites. This was quickly followed by a telephone call from Tom to the Sussex Skills Team to say he had been successful in gaining employment with a Care Home as an Assistant Cook.

Tom’s positive and infectious personality has meant that he has not allowed his criminal record to set him back and stop him from turning over a new leaf. Tom has been in his job for 6 weeks and is really enjoying it. He is grateful to the Skills Team for helping make this possible. Tom wishes to continue in his current employment and update his skills in the building trade.

This project is run by Working Links and aims to encourage employers to recruit from the hardest to help groups. It is a Sussex wide project that commenced in October 2008 to support learners who are 50+ or offender/ex offender or have Learning difficulty/disability.