28-year-old Daryll joined YMCA Training Chatham on our Flexible New Deal provision.

Daryll had been unemployed for just over two years and had experience in IT, Sales and factory work.

Daryll attended the centre to help him secure employment and, during his time on the Flexible New Deal programme, improved his CV and worked on his interview techniques.

YMCA Training Chatham has established good working relationships with a number of local employers, including Component Force, who were advertising positions for a Sales Executive.

Staff at YMCA Training felt that Daryll would be an ideal candidate for the role due to his skills, experience and general attitude and helped him prepare for his interview, which he passed with flying colours.
Daryll began the role as part of his Mandatory Work Related Activity (MWRA) and as soon as this period ended, he was employed by the Component Force as a full-time member of staff.

YMCA Training Chatham is now offering post-employment support to Daryll and Component Force with monthly review meetings.

Daryll said: "People should not belittle the hard work it takes to get back into work, and the satisfaction it gives. YMCA Training helped me with every aspect of finding a new job from building my CV to job prospecting - the team was kind and helpful every step of the way."

Loralea Yardley from Component Force said: "Daryll is well-liked by colleagues and customers alike.  He is a valuable member of the team and is working towards increasing his responsibilities. We are very pleased with Daryll's progress and look forward to a long working relationship with him."

Hyacinth came to YMCA Training Ipswich after being unemployed for one year. As a lone parent she was looking to secure employment which would fit in around her childcare and enable her to be financially better off.

Following a successful interview with Needhams Builders, YMCA Training and JobCentre Plus arranged a work trial for Hyacinth to try the position, negotiating a later start time to fit around her childcare.

Hyacinth was offered the position after the trial. However at first, the hours she was offered were unsuitable and, after childcare costs, Hyacinth would not have been better off. Due to YMCA Training support given regarding better off in work calculations, and negotiations with Needhams regarding salary and a later start time, Hyacinth was able to accept the position and is enjoying her permanent job.  

Shakeel joined the Employability Skills Programme at YMCA Training Manchester after being referred by JobCentre Plus to upskill his literacy and numeracy levels.

During his 15 weeks on the programme, Shakeel completed qualifications in adult numeracy, adult literacy and employability and personal development.

Shakeel had to work even harder to gain these qualifications as English is not his first language.

With two young children, and a baby on the way, Shakeel was keen to transform his life - now, thanks to new qualifications and a boost in confidence, he has a permanent position at Manchester Airport.

Riffat joined the EOSL course at YMCA Training in Wythenshawe earlier this year.

Riffat is originally from Pakistan and she has lived in the UK for over 10 years.  She joined YMCA Training to improve her writing and grammar skills as her communication skills were already quite good. However, she needed help with her employability skills such as writing her CV, and cover and application letters. She also needed help to improve the standard of her maths.

Whilst with YMCA Training, Riffat gained a placement at a nursery in Baguley which she attended for one day a week. She also passed her Level 2 Literacy and her Level 1 Numeracy as well as an Employability award with City and Guilds, in total passing five units all at Level 1.

When she left YMCA Training, Riffat carried on pursuing her love of childcare - she carried out voluntary work in a nursery at the Forum Futures called Buffer Bear. Eventually, this turned into full-time employment.

Emile, from Westgate-on-Sea, came to YMCA Training in 2009 after having been out of work for over a year.  He is an experienced delivery driver but was struggling to find employment.

After spending time with his training adviser Bev Collins he decided to consider learning a new profession and decided that he could work in the DIY Retail industry as when he was delivering, he also gained knowledge of DIY furniture.  Emile was referred to the EEA Team at Margate and was offered an interview for a placement with Homebase in Margate.

The interview went extremely well and Homebase manager Matt Ward was happy to take Emile on a four-week placement.  After three weeks of good time  keeping, excellent customer service skills and good old fashioned hard work, Homebase offered Emile a job for 16 hours per week.

Emile has been working for Homebase ever since and is very happy there - he is sure that without the help and encouragement from YMCA Training he would still out of work.

Jill, from Margate, came to YMCA Training in December 2009 after being in the sales business.  She had been unable to gain employment for some time and was looking for someone to give her the opportunity to show her capabilities.  After discussing her options with her training adviser, Bev Collins, it was decided that an administration role would suit Jill's qualifications.

Jill was referred to the EEA team and a placement within the YMCA Training centre in Margate was arranged.  At the time YMCA Training were not recruiting.  Jill worked brilliantly within the office environment and it so happened that an administration assistant role was then advertised for the centre during her last week of placement.  Jill was encouraged to apply for the position along with members of the public and was interviewed by Maidstone Centre Manager John Duguid and Operations Manager Tracy Munchin.  It was decided that Jill was the best person for the job and the position was offered to her.

Jill is now working part time as YMCA Training Margate's administration assistant and is thoroughly enjoying it and is liked very much by all the clients and staff.