A former promising footballer is now dreaming of
a career in retail management after help from us.
Steve Keveron, 29, of Withywood, Bristol, had
ambitions of playing professional after a successful stint playing
part-time football and trials at Football League clubs.
But after his dreams were shattered following
a shoulder injury aged 16, Steve turned to construction and in
particular, a career in floor laying.
Twelve years on, disaster struck again as
another injury to his other shoulder left him on the scrapheap and
having to retrain for a totally new career.
Steve said: “I had dreamt of playing
professional football since I was very young so when I got the
injury, I was devastated. I was only messing about with my mates
when it happened, too.
“But I got over it eventually and went into
the construction industry. I did all my training and had a good
career until the other shoulder went. I couldn’t believe it.
“I had been working as a floor layer for more
than ten years, I didn’t know anything else. It’s heartbreaking to
find out that you can’t do the thing you are trained in
anymore.”
And that is when Steve walked through the
doors of Working Links in Colston Avenue seeking help. Steve took
part in a variety of workshops to build up his confidence for
entering a new career and took part in retraining courses in retail
and security – and gained employment at fashion store Bank in the
Cabot Circus shopping centre.
He added: “If someone had said twelve years
ago that I would be working in fashion, I wouldn’t have believed
them. But I really enjoyed the courses through Working Links and am
really enjoying my new career choice.
“The long term goal is definitely to stay with Bank and
hopefully move into the management side of things.
Steve’s back-to-work consultant Laura Hathaway
said: “It’s great to see Steve enjoying his new career and having
ambition to move up in this field.
“When he first came to Working Links he wasn’t
sure what type of work he would be able to move into but was to
keen explore all options. He worked really hard and never missed an
appointment and was always willing to attend training and job
search sessions. Everyone in the office was really please when he
got the job with Bank as everyone saw the effort he was putting
in.”
For more information about Working Links can
help you please contact us or call Freephone
0800 917 9262.