The journey back to employment: How we helped Gary take his next career step

For employers looking to recruit motivated candidates with the right skills and attitude, finding people who are ready to take their next step into employment can make all the difference.

Gary’s journey with Back to Work demonstrates how the combination of skills training, employability support and one-to-one career guidance can help candidates build the confidence and experience they need to enter the workplace.

Gary's story

After a long period of unemployment, Gary from East London wanted to improve his skills and find a route back into employment. Through Back to Work, he completed a range of training designed to strengthen his digital, technical and customer service capabilities.

“My journey with Back to Work has been extremely valuable in helping me return to employment.”

Building skills and confidence

Gary initially joined Back to Work in October 2025, completing training including Contact Centre and Cybersecurity qualifications at Levels 1 and 2.

He later continued his development with further training in Digital Skills, Web Development and Cybersecurity, including a Level 2 Award in Website Design and Development and a Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Cybersecurity.

The training gave Gary recognised qualifications, while helping him develop knowledge and confidence that he could take into a working environment. Developing those skills was particularly important after spending a long period unemployed and applying unsuccessfully for jobs.

“Before joining the programme, I'd been unemployed for a long period and had applied for many jobs without being successful.

"The training gave me qualifications, knowledge and confidence that I did not have before.”

Turning training into opportunity

For employers, qualifications are only part of the picture. Gary's experience shows the importance of helping candidates make the transition from training into the workplace.

Throughout his journey, our team supported him with searching for suitable vacancies and applying for jobs.

His dedicated Career Support Advisor, Lucy, continued to provide suitable job opportunities, helped him identify roles to apply for and stayed in contact with him throughout. This support also extended to interview preparation, helping Gary feel more confident when approaching potential employers.

“Lucy continued to support me by providing suitable job opportunities, helping me identify roles to apply for and keeping in contact with me throughout my job search.

"The interview preparation and practice questions were also very helpful and gave me more confidence when approaching interviews.”

Finding the right role

The opportunity that ultimately led Gary back into employment came through Alexandra, another member of our Career Support team.

She introduced Gary to a job information session for a Customer Service opportunity.

“Alexandra introduced me to a job information session for a Customer Service opportunity. I attended the session, learned more about the role and was then able to progress through the recruitment process.”

That opportunity has now led to Gary securing a part-time Customer Service Advisor position through an agency, working with a smart-technology and software company.

Putting skills into practice

In his new role, Gary provides remote customer support for Transport for London (TfL) and Oyster services.

His responsibilities include handling customer enquiries, resolving travel and Oyster card issues, navigating multiple IT systems, providing accurate information and assisting customers professionally, while maintaining a high standard of customer service.

It's an opportunity for Gary to take the knowledge and confidence developed through his training and apply it in a real working environment.

“I now have the opportunity to take the theory I learned and apply it in a real working environment, gaining practical customer service experience.”

For employers, this is an important part of the value of pre-employment training.

Candidates don't necessarily need to have years of experience in a particular role to demonstrate potential.

With the right preparation and opportunity, newly trained candidates can take their first steps into a workplace and continue developing their skills on the job.

A first step back into employment

Gary's current position is temporary and part-time, but he sees it as much more than simply another job.

After a long period away from employment, it represents an important opportunity to rebuild his experience, demonstrate his capabilities and work towards longer-term employment.

What Gary's journey demonstrates

Gary's story demonstrates the potential that can be unlocked when candidates are given the right combination of training, confidence-building and access to employment opportunities.

For employers, it's a reminder that a candidate's previous employment history isn't necessarily the full picture.

Someone who has been out of work may have the motivation and potential to succeed, but benefit from additional training and support to help them demonstrate it.

Through Back to Work, candidates can develop relevant skills and qualifications before being connected with employers and vacancies that match their abilities and aspirations.

Gary's experience also highlights the value of giving people an opportunity to get their foot in the door.

“It may currently be a temporary part-time position, but it's still a significant step forward for me and, most importantly, I'm now back in employment.”

For Gary, that opportunity has provided a route back into the workplace.

For employers, it demonstrates the potential of recruiting candidates who have invested in developing themselves and are ready to put those skills into practice.

Final feedback

While Gary specifically highlights the support provided by Lucy and Alexandra, he was keen to emphasise that his success was the result of the wider team supporting him throughout his journey, and believes the combination of training and employment support made a significant difference to his ability to secure his current role.

“I'm very grateful to Back to Work for everything they've done to support me.

"I'd particularly like to thank all the advisors and staff who supported me throughout my journey. Everyone who helped me along the way played a part in helping me reach this point.

"I genuinely believe that without the training and employment support I received through Back to Work, I would not have reached this opportunity.”

His journey is a powerful example of how training can build skills, support can build confidence, and the right opportunity can provide a route back into employment.

Looking to recruit your next employee?

We work with employers to help them recruit motivated candidates through fully funded pre-employment training and tailored recruitment support.

We can help you identify suitable candidates, provide relevant training and support them throughout the recruitment process, helping you find people with the potential to become valuable members of your team.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your recruitment needs and find out how we can help you find your next employee.

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The journey back to employment: How we helped Gary take his next step