Pictured above: Andrew with resident Friedel
Baxter
Being unemployed for ten years and caring for his wife full
time, Andrew Good, 36 from Bulwell, Nottingham last worked in a
supermarket.
However, with his wife Hayley, thankfully making a recovery from
chronic depression, Andrew decided to turn his caring skills into a
career and has now started his training as part of a full-time care
assistant job - a role he was offered on his birthday.
Andrew's new career took off after he went to a Euro-funded
project, run by Care Training East Midlands. Andrew had heard about
Care Training through an advice centre in Forest Fields. He gave
them a call and arranged a meeting with an adviser.
His confidence was boosted by the six weeks programme,
Progression to Employment in Care, which gives job search tips,
helps with CV writing and one-to-one advice for people wanting to
work in the care industry.
It is funded by almost £840,000 from the European Social
Fund (ESF) 2007-13 and the Skills Funding Agency. ESF is
investing £376m overall to boost skills and jobs in the
region, which is even more vital in the current economic
climate.
Andrew had the chance to gain an insight into working in care,
including tips on health and safety and first aid. He also had
regular meetings with his adviser Jessica Grice in groups or one to
one sessions to keep his job ambitions on track.
Andrew said: "My experience with Care Training has been
fantastic. It's given me confidence and a new outlook on life!
Caring for my wife made me realise my dream job was to work in this
industry."
After initially having ambitions to work in a hospital, Andrew's
training opened his eyes to a range of care work options, so he
focused on finding a job as a care assistant.
With his new found confidence, Andrew attended an interview at
Adbolton Hall, West Bridgford, which was on his birthday. He got
the ideal present by being told he'd got the job straight after the
interview.
Andrew is now working full time as a care assistant for elderly
people with dementia. This role will give him the opportunity to
complete his NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care, leading
to his ultimate goal of becoming a nurse.
Care Training adviser, Jessica said: "I am so pleased
Andrew has found a job, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy
and he was a pleasure to work with. His continuous hard work
throughout the whole programme is a reflection of how he will
perform in his new job.
"Whenever there was information that needed to be brought into
class or any work to be done in preparation for the next session,
Andrew always brought it in when asked."