Alex McGreggor, Heatun Housing Association, Bilston

At the age of 19 I realised I needed to get myself sorted and decide what I wanted to do. I had previously spent some years at college, practically dossing and occasionally working part time in a Warehouse. I wanted to find work in an IT environment but found this very hard due to my lack of real work qualifications. As I became more bored I decided to volunteer at a community centre in Halesowen called the Lighthouse Project, now the Hope Centre, where I would help out with some admin.

Within a week I decided I wanted to support people at work, even though I was not getting paid, being able to make a difference to somebody’s life whether that just be a kind word, the noticeable difference was a great reward and also made my time feel worthwhile.

Lighthouse project asked me if I wanted to do an NVQ in Advice and Guidance as this would help me with the work I was doing which I enabled me to go ahead and gain a qualification. SBC Training came out to talk to me and advise me if this was the right course for my career path. My assessor, Colin Thaw, then talked me through the process of an NVQ and the contents of Advice and Guidance. He then explained how I would be assessed and structured a training plan for me.

I found my meetings with Colin were very useful, he was able to extract the information I already knew so I could evidence it. Unfortunately the Lighthouse Project had to close for a couple of months due to lack of funding I was also able to take a learning break, when the centre reopened I was able to continue working there and with my NVQ. I found work based learning to be effortless and adaptable to my working environment. My Colin would always ensure his visits fitted in with my work schedule.

Through the Future Jobs Fund I found another position with Heatun Housing Association where I was able to transfer my NVQ to complete it. Since completing my level 2 I have now started my level 3.

I am currently working on A4e (Action for Employment). I have a case load of clients who have not been able to find employment within the last 12 months. I arrange work placements, help clients with their CV’s to assist them to be more employable, track their progress over 12 months if they haven’t found employment, preparation for interviews and post interview analysis, if they weren’t successful I give advice and guidance for their next one. I also organise training activities such as basic skills classes and access relevant training courses at local colleges.

By doing these qualifications I have gained more confidence and new skills in my job role and it has given me more of a focus for my career, more choices are now open to me I am still not sure which route I want to go down as there are so many choices but I now know what I don’t want to do.

For more information on Heatun Housing Association and the projects they run visit www.heatun.org

24 June 2010