Amita was looking for work after moving back to the West Midlands after living in London for a few years. Hearing good things about working in the Civil Service, Amita spoke to her Work Coach who recommended our Civil Service course. Knowing that it would help take her in the direction of working in the Civil Service, Amita happily joined the course and is now working with the Home Office helping minors who are seeking asylum. We couldn’t be prouder of the work Amita is doing to assist people who are severely in need, and wish her all the best! Read on below for a more in-depth look at Amita’s time with Release Potential!

What were you doing before you started the programme?
Most of my previous employment has been centred around working as an accounts assistant, and in credit control positions. I worked for Marston’s Brewery in the West Midlands for seven years but left the area in 2008 to live and work in London. While in the capital I worked for Fuller’s Brewery again for seven years, and had roles with The Evening Standard, Sony and Pernod Ricard. I returned to the West Midlands in 2019. The company my husband worked for had entered liquidation, and I needed to find some employment, which led me to taking several temping roles, working them around the needs of my young child.
My most recent role had been temping for a computer software company for sixteen months. I also experienced some health issues and was unemployed before joining the programme.

How did you find out about the training?
I had heard good things about working in the Civil Service, and spoke with my Work Coach, Richard at Molineux House in Wolverhampton to ask if there were any vacancies at the Job Centre. He told me about the training offered by Release Potential, and I was on the course within two weeks!

Why did you decide to join?
I liked the idea of studying again. I knew that participating in a course that would take me in the direction of a job within the Civil Service was a good use of my time, and an opportunity I wanted to take.

What did you think of the training? How did it help you?
I can’t praise the Course Tutor, James enough. The training was absolutely brilliant! I wouldn’t have obtained my new employment without coming on the course. I would do it again! There were people from all walks of life who had come together to take part, with the same shared goal of looking for work. I also gained some good qualifications to add to my CV.
There was a guest speaker on the course, who explained that often people move around between departments once they have secured employment in the Civil Service. I liked the sound of this, and that opportunities are there.
I updated my CV and learned how to tailor it to applications I wanted to make. James helped us find roles we were interested in. We were made aware of some roles that had become available in Solihull and I had an interview for one of these just after the course had finished. The course was my path to reach where I am now.

Were there any barriers or obstacles you had to overcome?
Not really, my focus was just on securing employment. I’m a people person and quite confident at interviews. However, once I had been offered the post, I did find that the onboarding process was long. There were extensive checks that needed to be carried out, and it took some time to receive my start date.

What are you doing now?
I’m employed as an Asylum Decision Maker with the Home Office. I couldn’t ask for more! My role involves dealing with minors seeking asylum. I like that I will be helping to make a difference to young people in a positive way.
My first week included a lot of e-learning and we covered topics we had also studied on the Release Potential course. I couldn’t believe how well it prepares you!

What impact has the training had on your life?
Without doing the course I wouldn’t have the job I have now. It was the gateway that helped me to break into the Civil Service.

What are your plans for the future?
My focus is on doing a good job in my new role with the Home Office. At this point, I know it is going to last up to eighteen months. Longer term, I will be interested in other opportunities that might be available in the Service.
In the past, I completed a Counselling course which I really enjoyed. I like helping people. I’m the eldest of four siblings and helped to support and offer guidance to them when it was needed. I would be interested in a role that would allow me to use and develop these skills.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about doing the training but wasn’t sure?
Hands down, just do it! It’s the best decision you’ll ever make and provides a fast route to getting into the Civil Service.