A Gainsborough woman has landed her first ever job in the care sector just days after taking part in a new trailblazing local skills programme.
Emily Eatock, 25, had been unemployed for six months after being made redundant from her Covid-hit job in an engineering factory.
But single mum Emily has found a new career after receiving help from Gainsborough-based Riverside Training and their new sector routeway programmes.
The training provider has developed a series of intensive online learning programmes designed to give people insight into specific sectors.
Emily said: “I hated being out of work – and being on furlough before that. Being stuck at home not earning is not fun. You get a little bit of money but not enough. Before I worked in a factory, I was a fully qualified hairdresser, but I hated it. I’ve done lots of other things like cleaning as well.
“Then, when I was searching for jobs, I saw lots of jobs in care. Not knowing what I wanted to be, and being a single mum caring for a little one, I thought I’d give it a go. I’ll give anything a try.”
Emily’s Jobcentre Plus Work Coach told her about Riverside Training’s routeway into care and Emily jumped at the opportunity.
The four-day programme gives people an introduction to the care sector, featuring two days of insight into what it’s like to work in the industry and two days of wrap-around employability training to help prepare candidates for the world of work.
Emily added: “The course was really good and Tom, the tutor, was great. It was good fun as well and worked well online.”
And just days after completing the course, Emily used her new-found knowledge and skills to impress recruiters at care company Annicare to land a job. She’s now looking forward to starting her training in April and says she’d love to progress into nursing one day.
Tutor Tom Padden said: “The course went really well. We had a good group of committed learners and it was great to see Emily land a job so soon after, with others also getting interviews.
“Our new routeways have been developed in partnership with the National Careers Service and local employers, so we know we’re hitting the right mark with them.”
The care routeway is being followed up by similar programmes for the construction and warehousing sectors. For more information, visit www.riverside-training.org.uk.