Pictured above: Shaila Nasim has put a career in retailing on her shopping list after a work placement with the British Red Cross organised by Pertemps People Development Group

A career in retail is at the top of a Birmingham woman's shopping list after ending years of unemployment.

Shaila Nasim, aged 21, from Aston, had been unemployed for four years before clinching a six-month work placement at the British Red Cross charity shop in Soho Road, Handsworth.

Four months into the placement, Shaila has learned a huge amount about shop work and customer service and is looking forward to building a career in retailing.

Her job breakthrough came when she approached Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) and Aston Pride New Deal for Communities for help following recommendations from friends who had received support. The two organisations joined forces to give local people the best possible chance of finding a job despite the current tough economic climate.

Shaila had applied for many jobs after leaving college but struggled to find employment despite trying various agencies. 

She said: "A couple of my friends had found jobs through Aston Pride and Pertemps People Development Group so I went in to get some support. I had been unemployed for four years but within three weeks I had found employment at the British Red Cross.

"My employment coach, Rumana Mailk, was really helpful and showed me how to improve my CV and interview skills. I was really happy when I got the six-month placement and it has been really useful. I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do for a career but now I know I have a good career choice in retail.

"I like to be active and to interact with people. I soon realised that a job behind a desk working on a computer wasn't for me. I like being on my feet and helping customers, and also being creative by designing displays in the shop, and that's what I get in retail. I get on well with my colleagues and there is no part of my daily routine that I don't enjoy. Before my placement ends I will begin applying for jobs in fashion stores as that's where my interests lie."

Shop manager Niki Kaur said Shaila's placement was made possible with support from Aston Pride, PPDG and the Future Jobs Fund.

She added: "Shaila has been excellent and is very enthusiastic. She is great with the customers and it really seems to suit her. The placements are great because it gives young people an opportunity to see what it is like in the workplace, learn teamwork, and they can get retail experience which will help in future job applications."

PPDG delivers the Government's Welfare to Work strategy across the Midlands through Flexible New Deal, Work Focused Training and other employment initiatives. PPDG is using its vast experience of helping long-term unemployed people get back into work to help local jobseekers secure employment opportunities.

PPDG's team of employment experts provide advice on benefits, confidence building, one-to-one support, CV and interview preparation as well as finding the right job or training course. In partnership with DWP, the Ministry of Justice and Jobcentre Plus, PPDG delivers a diverse range of employment and training initiatives including Flexible New Deal, Working Neighbourhoods Fund, Learndirect and many ESF funded programmes. More than 100,000 job seekers have been helped into sustained employment by the company since the projects began. It has trained 130,000 people in vocational skills, and over 175,000 people have benefitted from professional information, advice and guidance services.

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.