Tamara and Calbert are two of our learners from a recent Into Employment course that had job opportunities available with Midland Mencap.

Both learners have very different life experiences and are at different points in their work lives. Still, both have one thing in common – they care about people and needed an opportunity to kickstart a career doing something that they love.

Calbert has spent a lot of his adult life caring for ageing relatives and working for healthcare agencies providing palliative care for sick adults. When his partner showed him a flyer about our course, Calbert, keen to get a permanent job, was interested and came to the pre-course assessment.

Tamara, a mother with a young daughter, was initially reluctant to return to education, but her attempts to find employment had so far been unsuccessful, so she committed to give the course a go.

On the first day, the group was quiet and a bit apprehensive, but by the end of the two weeks, they all felt like they’d known each other for years. They have even formed a WhatsApp group to keep in touch!

Tamara and Calbert both speak glowingly about their tutor, Remy, highlighting his communication skills, knowledge, and ability to relate to them as individuals, meaning that they felt listened to and they belonged.

Calbert even goes so far as to say:

“The course was life-changing. I feel revived as it reminded me of all the things I know and the skills I have.”

Now, the great news – they both aced their interviews at the end of the course and now have jobs starting with Midland Mencap in the new year. Calbert as a Care/Social Worker, and Tamara as a Domiciliary Care Worker.

Tamara is feeling rightly proud of herself as previously she has struggled to push herself and complete things. But now she says her daughter has inspired her, adding:

“I want to better myself; my daughter is watching me, and I want to be a positive role model for her. I want her to see that you need to have a job and work to provide for your family.”

Finally, congratulations to everyone involved with or who took part in the course, as 100% of the students achieved success. In real-life terms, this means that seven previously unemployed adults are now starting a career in an employment sector where they are well suited to thrive.