Bridging The Gap To Employment

A Torfaen resident who took on a series of volunteering roles while struggling to find employment has just gained a full time job with support from a Torfaen Council project. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In June 2016 Daniel John from Cwmbran made contact with the ESF funded project Bridges into Work 2 whilst the team were marketing in a local supermarket. Since making contact, Daniel has achieved a number of qualifications, improved his own confidence and interview techniques as well as completing three work experience placements to expand his CV. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Daniel’s sheer determination, positivity and enthusiasm throughout a very difficult period finally paid off when his final volunteering placement with Tesco Pontypool, resulted in Daniel securing full time employment. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Daniel said: “Without the support of Bridges into Work I would never have got my current job.  They have supported me through the whole process from CV support to volunteering.  They kept me positive and never lost faith in me.  I’d like to thank the whole team and especially my own support worker Alex.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Alex Cowen, Employment Support Worker for Bridges into Work 2 said: “Daniel has been a pleasure to support and work with, he has been fully committed and always made himself available for any training or upskilling I suggested.  Proves you get out what you put in and he really deserves the job he has secured.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Bridges into Work 2 project supports economically inactive and long-term unemployed adults aged 25 or over, providing opportunities for skills development, training, gaining qualifications, volunteering and/or work placements and support to find employment. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​