A unique partnership funded by Wirral Borough Council, which aims to support out of work people across the Wirral area by improving their employment prospects, has just paid dividends for former HGV driver John Davies.
Fifty-four year old John from Birkenhead was successful in his application for a grant from 'Linking Wirral People into Employment'. The initiative is being delivered by Remploy, The Social Partnership and Voluntary and Community Action Wirral. John is aiming to become a Class 1 HGV instructor and, with 16 years' HGV driving experience and more than a million miles under his belt, he's now relishing this new opportunity!
John, who has a lower back injury, approached many organisations with the hope of securing enough cash to retrain. However, it was only when he visited Remploy's specialist recruitment branch on Hamilton Street in Birkenhead, which supports people who experience complex barriers to employment, that his dreams were realised. He is now training with P&G LGV Driver Training in Flintshire, North Wales and he's made such a positive impression that his instructor, who also owns the business, is aiming to employ John when he qualifies.
"My disability meant I had to resign from my previous driving job," said John. "It became increasingly clear I would not be able to take to the road again as a full time driver, but I still wanted to be part of the industry I know and love. Training others to drive to professional standards would seem to be the ideal solution!
"Remploy worked hard for me," added John. "I would like to repay their faith by succeeding in my training and, hopefully, getting a job as an instructor. If that happens, there will be nobody happier than me!"
Support provided by Remploy to develop jobseekers' employability skills includes confidence building, CV writing, searching and applying for jobs, interview techniques and access to fully-funded courses, leading to qualifications including NVQs.