Ibrahim joined our Civil Service programme after finding out about it through his local Job Centre. Wanting to acquire new skills and refine existing ones, Ibrahim was keen to secure a job and felt the course was just the place!
Since completing the programme, Ibrahim has gone on to become an Executive Officer for the DWP, and we are extremely proud of his progress!
What were you doing before you started the programme?
Before starting the programme, I had been unemployed for about a year. I’d been previously applying for roles but had no luck in securing anything despite being progressed through various stages of interviews.
How did you find out about the training?
I found out about the training via my local Job Centre. They recommended it as they thought it would be a positive step to securing employment.
Why did you decide to join?
I decided to join as I wanted to acquire some new skills I didn’t necessarily have and also top up my existing ones. I was keen to secure a job and felt nowhere near ready to retire yet.
What did you think of the training? How did it help you?
The training was good and very well paced for each learner. My tutor James was excellent. He shared ideas, I learnt how to adapt and amend my CV into something more modern. The training schedule was great, knowing when the course was running meant I could be organised. It was good to have fun with the other learners as well as the training having a pitched approach based on everyone’s different ability.
Were there any barriers or obstacles you had to overcome?
No real barriers to overcome, everything was pretty straightforward
What are you doing now?
I’m about to start work for Department for Work and Pensions as an Executive Officer
What impact has the training had on your life?
The training helped me secure a role and I learnt new skills including CV formatting. I was fortunate enough to meet new people and learn alongside them in a safe environment. We had great opportunities to share ideas in a group setting whilst on the programme
What are your plans for the future?
My intention is to excel in my new role and be there as long as I can. I’m hoping to develop new skills as part of my training and hopefully in time, I might secure a new opportunity but I’d still like to remain with DWP.
What would you say to someone who was thinking about doing the training but wasn’t sure?
I’d say ‘Go For It!’ ‘Don’t be scared’. The training for me was a really worthwhile experience and was definitely worth the investment. I’ve been recommending it to anyone I think may benefit including my granddaughter.