Shaleem had unfortunately found herself unemployed and wanting a new career. After being told about the course from her Work Coach and finding out that the course times would work well with her home commitments, Shaleem knew it was the right path to take in finding that new career! Shaleem found that the course gave her the knowledge she needed to be able to complete all of the steps of applying to the Civil Service, and now holds a position working within the DWP! Congratulations, Shaleem!

What were you doing before you started the programme?
I was a staff nurse in A&E then found myself unemployed and wanted to seek a new career.

How did you find out about the training?
I was notified about the opportunity to embark on a Release Potential course from a Work Coach Krishna. She was really keen to share the details of the courses available.

Why did you decide to join?
The Civil Service course suited the times I was free and aligned with home commitments whilst still giving me insight into Civil Service processes. I had originally hoped to do a course that aligned with Coaching & Mentoring but this better suited me at this point.

What did you think of the training? How did it help you?
The course helped me gain knowledge about getting into Civil Service. The course content was well structured, insightful around what Civil Service involves and what we should explore to make sure our approach was correct. Success profiles were covered as well as Personal and Behaviour statements and Situational Judgement Tests, all of what may be presented when applying for a job. Masterclasses were excellent and were well supported with feedback afterwards. The course helped me understand how I could get into Civil Service which I had previously been interested in, but didn’t know where to start. I gained new insight into the expectations.

Were there any barriers or obstacles you had to overcome?
I had some new challenges. Transitioning into a different routine with life balance and not studying for a while. Luckily I got over this pretty quickly.

What are you doing now?
I’m working as a Administrative Case Manager with DWP Wolverhampton.

What impact has the training had on your life?
I feel much more comfortable in applying for other roles in the Civil Service at a later date. My skills have been really enhanced. I’ve introduced all of the information to my family members so they can get the benefit of my knowledge. The course has helped me realise how much my knowledge can help others understand what they also need to do to be successful. I also now have a much better work life balance.

What are your plans for the future?
I’d like to stay in my role, take advantage of the brilliant training I get and see what progression opportunities are there. I may also consider further nursing over a weekend on an adhoc basis.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about doing the training but wasn’t sure?
I’d 100% recommend it. Try it. I used to wonder if I could achieve what I needed to. I felt my approach and confidence changed mid course to feel ready to start applying. It’s a great confidence booster all due to the tutors and the support available.