Pictured above: Richard Fort (right) with one of his students

Thirty-year-old Richard Fort from Kings Norton, Birmingham, started off his career as an apprentice electrician with NG Bailey at the age of 16. Once fully qualified, Richard gained years of experience working on large electrical installations for major retailers, the NHS and education sector. 

But last year the recession dealt its hand and the construction industry crumbled under the pressure. NG Bailey was one of its casualties as demand for work dropped and the company was forced to cut 10 per cent of its 4,000-strong workforce in 2009. After more than 14 years with the company, Richard was facing redundancy and the prospect of being without an income to support his wife and four-year-old son. 

"It was a dreadful situation to be in. The redundancies were announced just before Christmas and I found being out of work a terrifying prospect," Richard said.  "I had joined the company straight from school and had no idea how to apply for jobs or even write a CV."

"When I started looking and applying for job vacancies, I often didn't hear back from companies and was often told that I was over-qualified for commercial contracts. The majority of job vacancies were for domestic work which I needed specialist qualifications for, so was over-looked by many employers."

Support for Richard came in the form of a project which has assisted more than 14,000 people who have been made redundant since 2006. Better West Midlands, a regional response to redundancy project, is funded by the West Midlands Councils' and Skills Funding Agency's regional European Social Fund programme. It has supported workers who are facing, or who have been made redundant, with training, job-search assistance and help with CV-writing and interview skills. It also runs a free job-matching service to help workers find alternative employment. Businesses who have been assisted by Better West Midlands include Jaguar, JCB, Halfords and Ericsson. 

Advisers from the project worked closely with staff at NG Bailey and arranged information, advice and guidance sessions at the company's offices for all its workers. 

Richard said: "The advisers at Better West Midlands were a shining light.  I felt relief that people recognised I needed support and that they were able to assist with practical advice and training."

Richard received help with writing his CV and funding to enroll onto a course to obtain his Part-P electrical certification, which provided evidence of the experience and standards required to work on domestic properties. 

"I was made redundant in November 2009, but by February I had completed my Part-P course and I was qualified to work as a self-employed electrician. I set up RPF Electrical and started on working on private contracts. 

"I also came across a job working as a teacher on an electrical engineering course at Woodlands Campus of Solihull College. I submitted my CV and got the job! The college said that my experience in industry was a real asset and the fact I had my Part-P meant I even beat off fully-qualified lecturers." 

Richard has been working at the college full-time and thoroughly enjoys his new role.

He adds: "Teaching is a complete culture shock, but I really enjoy it. Whilst at NG Bailey I often mentored apprentices and new starters. There are new disciplines with the role, such as paperwork, but it's fantastic." 

Richards's family life has also benefited as he gets to spend more time with his family. His wife, Michelle is now expecting their second child.