Shivani joined our Walsall startship programme in November 2021 and has flourished after completing the programme. After building her confidence on the course she has moved in a full-time role, making great strides. Read Shivani’s story below!

What were you doing before you started the programme?
Shivani left her BSc in Occupational Therapy at the University of Derby in September 2021, at the start of her second year after realising this wasn’t the career path she wanted to follow, explaining, “I wasn’t happy, and I wasn’t enjoying the course anymore.” She had been unemployed for a short time before enrolling on the Startship with Release Potential Ltd.

How did you find out about the training?
Her Work Coach told her about the Startship. “I wasn’t having much luck applying for jobs, and when my Work Coach asked if I would like to do it, I thought why not!”

Why did you decide to join?
“I had a discussion about the course with a member of staff from Release Potential. I was attracted by the prospect of learning with other people in a similar age range to me, if it had been with older learners I might not have done it. I also thought it would be a good experience and help me to start a career in retail.”

What did you think of the training? How did it help you?
“The training was really useful – I met other people, gained some qualifications and received practical help with the content and presentation of my CV to put me across to employers in a more positive way.”

Were there any barriers or obstacles you had to overcome?
“The Startship helped to develop my confidence more.”

What are you doing now?
I am employed by Boundary Mill in a Kickstart role as a Trainee Retail Assistant. Every month I’ve switched around with the roles I do, so for example in the first month I was working in the café, in January I worked in the home store section, and in February I’m moving on to the tills. I’ve really enjoyed the varied experiences I’ve had so far.”

What impact has the training had on your life?
The course and my new role have helped me to become confident and believe in myself more. I found out about the role while I was on the course so it definitely played a part in me getting the job.

What are your plans for the future?
“I’m trying to gain as much experience from my new role as possible and see myself working in retail in the future. I would like to be kept on when my Kickstart role finishes if there is an opportunity, but I have more confidence now whatever happens.”

What would you say to someone who was thinking about doing the training but wasn’t sure?
“Go for it, you’re going to meet people like you, but everyone has a different story to tell.”