Pictured above: Handyman Shahid Rahman has launched his
new business with support from Rumana Malik and Malcolm Buchanan of
Pertemps People Development Group
A Birmingham handyman whose business crashed during the credit
crunch decided that there was one sure way to beat unemployment -
do-it-yourself.
Shahidur Rahman, from Aston, is now looking forward to growing
his property maintenance business and recruiting other skilled
unemployed people.
The 34-year-old received support from Pertemps People
Development Group (PPDG) and Aston Pride New Deal for Communities
who have joined forces to give local people the best possible
chance of finding a job despite the current tough economic climate.
Shahid had been out of work for 18 months when he was referred to
PPDG employment coach Rumana Malik at the company's Newtown
Advancement Centre in April.
He said: "I have been doing odd jobs since I was 16. I have
always been interested in things like that and I've got the mental
ability to fix things. I turned my hobby into a career and was
working as a handyman but the credit crunch hit and paralysed
everything.
"I first went into PPDG about four months ago and they were all
very friendly. It's a place where everyone feels comfortable.
Rumana gave me some great advice and support. I studied and
achieved the Construction Skills Certificate and got a health and
safety qualification.
"Once I got those I thought it was a good achievement and I
could show them to potential customers so that they would have some
confidence in what I was doing - and it has worked. I launched Iman
Property Maintenance and we provide services including fitting
kitchens and bathrooms, painting and decorating, laminate flooring,
tiling, carpentry and basic plumbing.
He added: "At the moment I have got plenty of work. I'm the
maintenance guy for an organisation that re-houses young people and
I've got many more customers. Hopefully, I will be able to build up
the business in the future and take on other unemployed people. It
would be great to help people that are in a similar situation to
the one I was in. Everyone needs a chance in life."
Rumana said: "Shahidur joined the Aston Pride project at the end
of April this year and attended his appointments on a regular
basis. In this time he used our facilities to practice his CSCS
training, which we placed him on and funded. He passed this course
and obtained a CSCS card which helped him in the field he is
working in. He also attended our job search sessions. Within three
months of joining our project he managed to go self employed and I
would like to wish him great success in his venture."
To speak to Shahidur about the services he provides call 07805
719330 or 07904 392679, or email
iman_property_maintenance@hotmail.co.uk.
PPDG's team of employment experts provide advice on benefits,
confidence building, one-to-one support, CV and interview
preparation, and finding the right job or training course. PPDG
works in partnership with Jobcentre Plus and other organisations to
deliver employment and training initiatives including Flexible New
Deal, the Working Neighbourhoods Fund and Learndirect training
programmes.
Aston Pride - a 10-year, £54 million regeneration
initiative - aims to transform the economic culture of Aston by
reducing unemployment and raising household incomes. It
encourages residents to aspire to achieve their fullest potential
and collaborate in acquiring a sense of common purpose and
community identity. It is also providing intelligent support
for training, learning, the social economy, and business investment
and development. Anyone who would like more information about the
event should telephone PPDG's Newtown Centre on 0121 359 3024.