“It was about helping Callum realise that he was capable of doing more than he initially thought.”
From no prior work experience to first job secured: Callum’s Restart Scheme Journey
Finding the right people for your business isn't always about finding candidates who already have years of experience.
Sometimes, the right candidate is someone with the potential, attitude and determination to succeed, but who needs the right support and opportunity to take that first step into employment.
Callum's journey through the Restart Scheme is a great example.
Having never previously had a job, Callum faced several barriers to employment. Today, after working with his Employment Advisor, completing qualifications and employment-focused training, and engaging with employers, he is preparing to start his first ever job supporting the retail concession stand at Manchester City Football Club.
His story demonstrates what can be achieved when employers, training providers and employment support teams work together to help people develop the skills and confidence businesses need.
From barriers to employment potential
When Callum joined the Restart Scheme late last year, he was keen to find his first opportunity, particularly within retail.
However, he faced several barriers.
He didn't have photo ID, lacked confidence when completing applications, and found interviews challenging.
His Employment Advisor, Phil, worked with him to tackle these barriers one at a time.
This included supporting Callum through the process of applying for his provisional driving licence, helping him obtain the photo ID he needed, before moving on to applications, interviews and wider employability support.
Callum was supported with applications to employers, while also being encouraged to take greater ownership of his job search and proactively look for opportunities himself.
For employers, this type of preparation can make a significant difference.
Candidates don't necessarily need to arrive with extensive experience. They need the right attitude, confidence and understanding of what is expected in the workplace.
Helping candidates become more confident in the workplace
Our support goes beyond simply helping candidates apply for vacancies.
Callum was introduced to the Business Development team, giving him opportunities to attend employer meet-and-greet events, job-search sessions and other employment-focused activities.
He also completed mock interviews, receiving personalised feedback to help him understand his strengths and improve his interview technique.
His Employment Advisor, Phil, said:
This type of preparation can help candidates arrive at an employer interview better prepared and more confident, making it easier for businesses to identify their potential.
Developing skills that employers value
Callum also worked with Employment Advisor, Naomi, to explore further training opportunities that could strengthen his CV and support his career ambitions.
Together, they identified relevant courses across areas including retail, hospitality and catering.
This resulted in Callum successfully completing a Level 2 qualification in Food Hygiene and Safety.
Naomi said:
For employers, this highlights one of the benefits of working with employment and training providers: candidates can receive support to develop relevant skills before they enter the workplace.
Employer engagement can make a real difference
A key part of Callum's journey was being given access to genuine employer opportunities.
After overcoming several initial barriers, Callum was introduced to an opportunity with Total People, in partnership with Manchester City Football Club.
He was invited to learn more about the opportunity and decide whether the opportunity was right for him. Callum embraced this and successfully completed the three-week course.
That opportunity ultimately led to something even more significant: his first job.
He is now preparing to start work supporting the retail concession stand at Manchester City Football Club.
Key learnings for employers
Callum's journey demonstrates that there can be significant potential among people who may not initially have the experience or confidence that employers typically look for.
With the right support, candidates can:
- Develop confidence in applying for jobs and attending interviews
- Gain relevant qualifications and practical skills
- Understand workplace expectations
- Build their communication and interview skills
- Become more proactive in their job search
- Engage directly with employers
- Demonstrate their motivation and commitment
- Progress towards sustainable employment
For businesses experiencing recruitment challenges, widening the talent pool and considering candidates based on potential as well as previous experience, can open the door to new sources of talent.
Supporting employers to find motivated candidates
At Back to Work, we work with individuals throughout their employment journey, helping them overcome barriers, develop their skills and build the confidence they need to succeed.
We also work with employers to understand their recruitment needs and connect them with candidates who are being prepared for the workplace.
Callum's story shows the impact that can be achieved when that support is combined with a genuine employer opportunity.
His first job didn't come from simply submitting another application. It came from preparation, training, employer engagement, opportunity and determination coming together.
And for an employer, that can mean discovering a motivated new member of your team who may otherwise have been overlooked.
Could your business benefit from working with us?
Whether you're looking to recruit for a specific vacancy, build a future talent pipeline or explore opportunities to engage with candidates through employment-focused training, we can help.
Our team can work with you to understand your recruitment requirements and identify ways to connect your business with motivated candidates who are being supported to become work-ready.
Callum's story is just one example of what can happen when employers give people the opportunity to demonstrate their potential.
If your business is looking to recruit, get in touch with our team to explore how we could support your next hire.
Ready to get started?
Visit our Work with us page to learn how you can get started with pre-employment training and power up your workforce.