Getting support and finding work: Olu’s Skills Connect and Inclusive Career Pathways journey

When Olu, a trained dentist, moved to the UK, he had an aim to find work in a health or social care setting.

However, since he arrived, Olu was only able to find work in support worker or security role in a hospital setting. He also had been working as an agency care worker, but found that he couldn’t get regular work, a problem that eventually led to Olu claiming Universal Credit. The stress of Olu’s job search even began to affect his mental health – causing panic attacks.

Olu’s story changed when he was referred to Skills Connect and met Karen, his Job Coach. As well providing general employability support, Karen matched Olu with the Inclusive Career Pathways project and introduced him to Mairead.

Together, Karen and Mairead gave the following support to Olu:

• Helped Olu search for many roles that matched his skills and interests.
• Gave feedback on his applications and helped him prepare for interviews.
• Built Olu’s confidence through encouragement and practical advice.
• Shared interview tips and gave Olu a safe space to practice in.
• Undertook mock interviews with Olu at times that were suitable for him.
• Kept in regular touch with Olu via email, calls, and texts – keeping him on track.
• Linked Olu up with other training courses such as IT, teaching, and a security course at Bristol Airport.

As a result of Karen and Mairead’s support, Olu was exposed to a variety of employment opportunities. These included: a visit to Bristol City Council Day Service which led to an interview, several interviews for other Bristol City Council roles and feedback on his answers/applications, and an application for a role at Bristol Airport and mock interview support.

But it wasn’t just advice and guidance, Karen was able to support Olu with other circumstances that were affecting his life, such as providing food bank vouchers and supplying him with a laptop to support his job search and applications.

We’re pleased to say that following an interview at Redfield Lodge care home, Olu has successfully been taken on as a Care Assistant!

Reflecting on the support he received from Skills Connect and Inclusive Career Pathways, Olu had this to say:

Mairead and Karen have helped me look for a job they both empathised with me and they both acted like my counsellor. They built and boosted my confidence. They coached and supported me along my journey. They are kind and compassionate.

In short these two have been wonderful I feel they’re both good in their roles and I owe them a lot.

Thanks, you so much Karen and Mairead!

If you would like to know more about Skills Connect via their webpage: Home – Skills Connect