Annik found out about our course at their local job centre, and felt the end qualification was exactly what was needed to reach her end goal of becoming a Job Coach. Read below for the full story!

What were you doing before you started the programme?
I previously worked in retail and had various roles including Supervisor and Manager with employers including Build a Bear and a private shoe shop called Samana. Before starting the course, I had been out of work for six years. After I had my second son, I found that childcare was way too expensive, and I needed to focus on my family. Over the last two years I have been doing a variety of different courses to get work ready again including health and safety, branding and marketing.

How did you find out about the training?
I found out about the course at short notice when I attended a Jobs Fair. I spoke to a member of staff from Release Potential who gave me some detail about the training and what to expect.

Why did you decide to join?
I was interested in becoming a Job Coach and had been thinking about how to go about it. I felt I needed to obtain a qualification like this to be able to carry out the role effectively. I also know L3 courses are hard to come by and decided to make the most of the opportunity.

What did you think of the training? How did it help you?
The course was inciteful and enabled me to learn more about what coaching and mentoring is. I thought the task to build a coaching session with a prospective customer was particularly helpful. I enjoyed learning about the procedures to structure such a session, then delivering it. It was recorded so I could review it afterwards too!
I had seen the role I have gone on to obtain previously but didn’t feel confident to apply. However, it came around again after I’d completed the course, and this time I did! The guidance received on the course about CV construction was also beneficial. Overall, it played a part in helping me to get the role I’m about to start.

Were there any barriers or obstacles you had to overcome?
I had some issues when I was younger and didn’t get the best GCSE’s, which is why I’ve been doing the additional training and courses over the last two years. I’d also been away from the world of work for a long time.

What are you doing now?
After completing the course, I attended a jobs fair, and had an interview the following week with Go Train to become a Job Coach and was offered the role later that same day!
It’s a full-time role, to help people find work, identify suitable training, and empower them to break down barriers they think they have.

What impact has the training had on your life?
It’s helped me to prioritise my own goals, achieve them and put into practice all the things I have learned in my life.

What are your plans for the future?
I’m looking forward to starting my Job Coach role. Longer term, I would at some point like to take a Degree in Social Care or Psychology, and eventually have my own business.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about doing the training but wasn’t sure?
Do it and keep an open mind about the experience. For me, it was an investment of time and energy that helped to obtain a worthwhile outcome.