Carl Hawkes, from Stockton was first referred to Five Lamps by Avanta to participate in the mandatory Work Programme
The Work Programme provides tailored support to help people undertake active and effective job-seeking. Participants receive support for up to 2 years to overcome barriers that prevent them from finding and staying in work.
Karen O’Hara, Five Lamps Intensive Support Worker worked with Carl to understand his career goals. Carl expressed an interest in working as a Labourer in the construction industry but has faced many barriers trying to return to work, which he has tried to overcome.
Carl had attended several training courses in the past but has always dropped out due to lack of confidence, lack of concentration and having the inability to retain information. Returning to any training was extremely hard for him as he could not face doing any further training as he thought he was setting himself up to fail.
By providing intensive support, information, advice and guidance Karen and Carl built up a relationship where Karen was able to persuade Carl to undertake a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), which would give him the required card necessary to work on a construction site. Having the CSCS card would greatly improve Carl’s changes of finding employment in the construction industry.
Carl’s lack of confidence and motivation got the better of him and he failed to attend a couple of CSCS courses that he was booked onto. Karen continued to support and encourage Carl, who in his own words said “he needed to give his head a shake” and started to really concentrate on passing the test.
As Five Lamps also run the CSCS scheme, Karen identified to the staff that Carl would need additional support and encouragement. With a lot of support and patience from the CSCS trainers Dave and Adnan, Carl finally passed the course.
Carl said
“I feel my employment chances have been increased. It’s thanks to the staff from Five Lamps who gave me additional support and confidence to complete the course. I am now looking at other courses that will help me move quickly into work. My confidence has grown”