After 18 months out of work and hundreds of failed job
applications, Daniel Gardner didn’t know where his next pay check
was coming from.
But Daniel’s luck changed after being referred
to employment and skills experts Working Links.
Daniel, 25, of Merthyr Tydfil, hadn’t worked
since he left his last job in early 2010 after government funding
ran out.
He said: “I’d worked in my early 20s managing
a car wash and then managed to gain a six-month contract through
the Future Jobs Fund but unfortunately that ended so I was really
struggling to find work.
“I must have sent off hundreds or even
thousands of job applications when I was unemployed but rarely got
any responses let alone interviews.”
But after being referred by Jobcentre Plus to
Working Links, which runs the Work Programme in Wales, Daniel’s was
soon to be back on the payroll.
He added: “Going to Working Links was a breath
of fresh air. My personal consultant Nicola had a lot of time for
me and really helped me target the jobs that I could get.
“She managed to secure me an interview as a
production operative but because I outlined some more of my skills
I obtained an even better job in the same company.
“The job is great. I get to do a lot of
different things and have quite a bit of responsibility. It’s great
to be back in work.”
Daniel is now working as a Liaison Officer at
Staffline and is looking forward to sustainable employment.
Speaking about the Work Programme Employment
Minister Chris Grayling said: “It is stories like
Daniel's that show that the new Work Programme is starting to
have a positive impact on the employment prospects
of unemployed people.”
To find out how Working Links helps
communities, please contact us or call 0800 917
9262.