Daniel Taylor, 20 from Thornaby first came to Five Lamps in May 2011.
Daniel had been unemployed for over 7 months and was selected by his local Job Centre Advisor to start the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) mandatory ‘Community Task Force’ program.
Community Task Force is designed to help young people who are out of work and claiming Jobseekers Allowance to improve their employability by developing skills and secure a positive work reference whilst on a 13 week placement in the local community for 30 hours a week.
An appointment was made for Daniel who was initially assessed at Five Lamps on Dovecot Street in Stockton by Darren Stephens, Intensive Support Worker. Daniel explained that he wanted to work with his hands and liked to keep busy. Daniel told Darren that he did not have a good experience at school and consequently his GCSE results were directly affected.
Daniel chose to carry out his 13 week placement with Five Lamps at The Youthy (Five Lamps’ purpose built youth centre in Thornaby). Daniel worked as a Ground Worker, helping with outdoor projects to clean up areas and help local people with their gardens. Daniel also worked supervised alongside a team of other local lads, most of which are from Thornaby to maintain allotments, fix gates and paint buildings. During his time on the Community Task Force, Daniel’s confidence began to increase and he realised that he had a structure to his week.
Daniel said
“I feel more confident now than I did before I was introduced to Five Lamps”
Daniel utilised his weekly job search sessions well and listened to the advice and guidance he was given about getting back into work. He focussed more on his job search and was able to develop an effective CV and started applying for jobs.
Daniel applied for a Welding Apprenticeship in June 2011 and secured an interview with Vixens Surface Treatments based on Teesside Industrial Estate in Thornaby: A leading force in the production of machines for degreasing and blast cleaning. After the interview he was told that he had been successful and could start the following week.
Daniel knows that this offer is a perfect employment opportunity for him to progress and really start to train towards a rewarding career in the future.
Daniel said
“I can’t wait to start my new job and learn a trade. I feel my luck has changed. I will definitely recommend Five Lamps to my mates”