Finding work through lasting connections – Dan’s experience with the Post 16 Team
18-year-old Dan has faced multiple barriers on his journey through education and into employment, including a difficult transition into post-16 life.
“I’ve been a young carer my whole life, in school I had quite poor attendance and I just didn’t agree with the schooling system. At the end of year 11, I got quite ill. I went into college on a Heavy Vehicle Maintenance course and then that course got cancelled after a week because there weren’t enough people. They put me on another course and my health just progressively got worse.”
Following these problems with his health and college place, Dan changed his approached and began to look at other options such as apprenticeships.
“I was applying on my own, but I was struggling quite a bit and at the time we had somebody helping us with my younger brothers and they recommended Bristol City Council’s Post 16 Team.”
Dan was referred to the Bristol Post 16 Team and it was here that he was reunited with Jon, one of Post 16’s Career Coaches.
“I’ve known Jon for years. When I was still in school, he was a youth worker for me. I’ve known him for like, 7 years or something crazy like that.”
Jon had worked with Dan in a previous role and continued to provide him with support through his new position in the Post 16 Team.
“Jon knew how to get stuff done back then and then I found out he was on the Post 16 team, so I started to go into that. He got me two weeks paid work experience, that was the first big thing.”
Following Dan’s very successful work experience with FP Hurley, which even resulted in an offer of future employment, Jon recommended that Dan take part in a 6-week construction course with The Restore Trust and Bristol Post 16’s HYPE Programme. During the training course, Dan was able to earn his CSCS card – a certificate which allowed him to search for work on construction sites.
At the end of the course, Jon and Dan worked together again to get back in contact with FP Hurley, and Dan was able to secure an apprenticeship with the construction company. In his new role, Dan has been working on pipe fitting and has been enjoying his first few weeks with some of the colleagues he met during his work experience.
Dan spoke highly of Jon and was extremely grateful for all the support he had received over the years.
“Like I said, I’m a young carer so I got a lot of home issues and every time I needed something, I just phoned Jon, and he would give me advice or just, like, be there for me. Just help me out. I think there was a point where he managed to sort me out a Tesco voucher when I’ve needed it and stuff like that. Dropped off food bank vouchers and all that for me. He’s very, very, very supportive and, I can’t really explain into words; he’s just a legend.”
When asked if he had any advice for people who might be in a similar situation, Dan had this to say:
“Patience. Patience because it was very frustrating. I was looking for a job for almost two years, you see. You just need patience, you’re gonna get frustrated. It’s OK, just try not get your hair off too much. Trust the people you’re working with and jump at any opportunities you can.
Yeah, probably advice for other people would be go to Jon.”
If you’re interested in finding out more about the work of the Post 16 Team head to our website or get in touch: post16participation@bristol.gov.uk
