A former spray painter from Hamilton has made a life transforming career change thanks to an innovative partnership between specialist recruitment company Remploy and ASDA.
Brian Maher, 55, who is profoundly deaf, was made redundant in 2010 after 13 years in the same job. Because of his disability, he feared he might never work again.
With his confidence badly dented he turned to Remploy’s employment services branch in Hamilton, where he received tailored support with job searching, including advice about interview techniques and help building a CV to showcase his skills.
A four week work placement at ASDA’s superstore in Wishaw helped restore Brian’s self-belief and within months he was offered a permanent job as a home shopping delivery driver at ASDA’s Hamilton store.
Eight months into his new career Brian is delighted with the benefits that come from being back in work. “This job is great because I get to meet new people every day,” he said. “I’m always busy, loading the van and delivering to customers. I thrive on being busy and I put 100 per cent into my work. “
Louise Corcoran, ASDA Delivery Manager at Hamilton described Brian as a “well loved member of our team”. She said: “His disability has no effect on his ability to do his job effectively. In fact, Brian took to delivery driving like a duck to water, he is absolutely fantastic.”
An appreciative Brian added: “Remploy were very supportive helping me apply for jobs and organising my placement at ASDA. They also provided an interpreter when I had to take a driving theory test and worked with ASDA to change my delivery schedule so that I don’t deliver to flats that have an entry buzzer, which, of course, I can’t hear.
“I can’t thank Remploy and ASDA enough for their support. They are always happy to help!”
Remploy has been working with ASDA since 2002 and signed a partnership in 2008 recognising it as a preferred recruitment partner for people with disabilities and health conditions. Since then more than 1,300 disabled and disadvantaged people have been supported into work with the supermarket giant.