Two Birmingham jobseekers are enjoying a fresh start to their new careers thanks to Remploy, the UK's leading provider of specialist employment services to people who experience complex barriers to work. Two Birmingham jobseekers are enjoying a fresh start to their new careers thanks to Remploy, the UK's leading provider of specialist employment services to people who experience complex barriers to work.
Alexis Wasmuth, 27, of Selly Oak and Foz Khan, 20, of Moseley are the latest recruits to start at Asda's Cape Hill store at Windmills Shopping Centre in Smethwick as part of a successful partnership with Remploy's Birmingham recruitment branch.
Alexis was referred to Remploy by his Jobcentre after nine months receiving Jobseeker's Allowance. He has facial disfigurement and scarring caused by acne but after successful treatment, his condition has improved and his confidence is growing, especially now he's landed a full time job as a process colleague in the grocery department. His role involves checking stock on the grocery shelves and making sure any gaps are filled, using his scanner which links directly to the store's central computer.
"The best part of the job is when you can help the customer, finding the item they've been looking for," Alexis said. "It's satisfying to know I'm providing good customer service and raising the standard of their shopping experience. I always try and put in extra effort in whatever I do, going above and beyond the basic job - it just means I know I've done the best I can do to help."
It's a huge contrast to his previous career as a performance artist, dazzling audiences at venues around Birmingham with circus skills such as fire dancing and juggling. After realising it was not the kind of job he could do full time, he worked as a door to door direct sales agent for a charity. This, he says, means he finds it easy to chat to customers and engage them in small talk.
Meanwhile Foz, who has a learning disability, came to Remploy after working with Connexions in King's Heath. He'd received Jobseeker's Allowance for six months after finishing his college course. He works as a service colleague, helping customers at the store entrance, ensuring the checkouts are stocked up with carrier bags and Asda magazines and collecting and tidying trolleys and baskets. It's an important role as he is the first point of contact for customers as they enter the store.
Foz is grateful for Remploy's help in preparing for the role. He said: "Remploy has been fantastic in getting me this job. It can be difficult at times, dealing with rejection when you're applying for jobs. I had a mock interview to get me used to the group interview process used by Asda and that really helped me. It's useful to learn where you are going wrong as you can improve on it."
Asda Cape Hill's training co-ordinator Brett Bensley is delighted with the progress Alexis and Foz have made so far and says he would definitely recommend working with Remploy to other employers.
"We've got four Remploy candidates working for us now and I'm very keen to sign up more," he said. "It's so refreshing when they come to us - you can tell they have listened to all the advice they've been given in the branch and they always come with the right attitude and want to succeed. They look the part too - just turning up looking smart and wearing a shirt and tie makes a massive difference."
"I'm very happy with the partnership we have with the branch - they are a fantastic team. Long may it continue!"
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