Okendu had been away from academia for some time and needed something to boost his chances of gaining employment. After finding out about the training from his Work Coach, Okendu thought this was a good opportunity. After some time on the course Okendu found it opened his eyes to the difference between being a Civil Servant in Africa compared to the UK and the range of opportunities available! Read on to hear more of Okendu’s story!

What were you doing before you started the programme?
Originally, I studied Mechanical Engineering spending five years at University in Nigeria. I completed my National Service and became a Civil Defence Officer in the military. I was also a boxer for five years.
In the UK I have been a volunteer with the Good Chef and a freelance forklift operator at Bilston Industrial Estate. I had been unemployed for some time.

How did you find out about the training?
I have been in receipt of Universal Credit, and the training was recommended during a meeting with my Work Coach, Christina at Molineux House Job Centre. She encouraged me to consider the programme to help improve my chances of gaining a civil service job.

Why did you decide to join?
I had been away from academia for some time and needed to do something to boost my chances of gaining employment. I was looking to take short courses, something that could help me fit into a job and thought this was a good opportunity.

What did you think of the training? How did it help you?
I would say that the course helped to ‘wake me from slumber’. I hadn’t been applying for employment beforehand and it gave my confidence a big boost. It got me talking to people and really helped my communication. I had been doubting if I could work with people, and it helped me recognise how to talk to people in different situations. I also didn’t know the difference between being a civil servant in Africa compared to the UK and it opened my eyes to the wide range of opportunities available if I could find one. The course helped to improve my IT skills too.

Were there any barriers or obstacles you had to overcome?
I had been away from study for some time and needed to do something to help me re-engage with learning again. I also needed to borrow a laptop from Release Potential so I could take part.

What are you doing now?
I have recently completed my SIA training to work as a Door Supervisor, obtained my licence and have been employed by an agency called Active Security Solutions Ltd who specialise in security services in Wolverhampton. It’s part-time work for now, but I’m hoping to build my hours up.

What impact has the training had on your life?
The training has cleared my doubts and boosted my confidence! Release Potential has kept in touch even after the course had finished. Checking in with me has helped to keep pushing me.

What are your plans for the future?
I would like to return to studying Engineering in the future and take my degree further. Ultimately, I would like to work either for a company or be self-employed in solar installation.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about doing the training but wasn’t sure?
I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to take advantage of the benefits it offers. I have even spoken to some of my friends and told them they should do it too!