Before starting the course, Michael was employed in marketing for an industry that was massively affected by the pandemic, and as a result had to look at finding a new industry to work in. Michael thought the course would provide an opportunity to help me move on, and thanks to contacts made during the programme has had opportunities to continue working in content creation for marketing and promotion! Read on below to hear more of Michael’s story!

What were you doing before you started the programme?
I had been working as a film maker for a company called Mylife films for three years. I also had a role as a content executive for a food company called Eat Natural for three years prior to that. Before I started the course I was employed as a marketing executive working on creative content for a residential care company. When the pandemic hit, I couldn’t do my job as access to care settings was so restricted and parts of the industry collapsed. I needed to look at re-skilling.

How did you find out about the training?
My Work Coach, Marie at Coventry Arena Job Centre, suggested I consider the course and look at gaining a new skill set to give me some other options and help me progress onto something else.

Why did you decide to join?
The company I had been working for effectively went out of service and I thought the course would provide an opportunity to help me move on.

What did you think of the training? How did it help you?
There was a broad diversity of different people on the course. The course gave me the opportunity to be in contact with other people again and increase my skill set. The training helped me recognise how to present myself in one-to-one situations again and on paper. It also helped with my communication skills and to understand what’s important to employers. Sometimes you forget that when you work by yourself and have been at home for a long time.

Were there any barriers or obstacles you had to overcome?
On the course, I needed to get my head around CV writing again. I had some preconceptions about it. It was also helpful to revisit interview techniques and behaviour again.

What are you doing now?
I’m about to start a role as a Creative Content Co-ordinator with the Gi Group, the official recruiter for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. There are cultural events happening around the Games and my role is to help to highlight these across a range of different media. There are various
release dates for these events, and my role is to make sure people know about them by creating and co-ordinating content about them.

What impact has the training had on your life?
The course has helped me to be more confident when dealing with people again. It also helped with CV construction, presenting myself on paper, and with the application process for the job I have secured.

What are your plans for the future?
My Creative Content Co-ordinator role is to run for a six-month period. I am hoping other opportunities might become available with the Gi Group towards the end of my contract that I can apply for or possibly be offered.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about doing the training but wasn’t sure?
I would say that the course is a good opportunity to benefit from some very effective training for anyone wanting to gain employment in customer facing roles.