Julie finds employment in record time!

Julie, a trainee at Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Training College in Leatherhead, has set the College record for gaining full time employment in just over 12 weeks. Having joined the Training College on 14 May, Julie will start her new job on 6 th August as an Office Assistant for a local company in her home area of Lightwater, Surrey.

Although Julie, 35, did have previous office work experience, that was over 10 years ago before her daughter was born. Getting back into the workforce didn’t prove easy and as time went by, Julie realised that the gap was widening as technology and office practices progressed and she became more and more depressed. She resented losing her independence being reliant on state benefits but at the same time, had lost confidence in her own abilities to do anything about it. Julie was trapped in a vicious circle that she needed to break.

“It was a hard decision to leave home, friends and family to attend the residential College but I am so glad that I did. When I came to the Training College, I decided to start applying for jobs straight away, thinking it would take me ages to even end up with a qualification, not necessarily a job at the end of the course. My biggest fear was leaving the College with no employment and going back to being on benefits and dissatisfied with myself,” said Julie.

The Foundation offers a wide range of courses for disabled people leading to commercially recognised qualifications. Its success, however, is down to the supportive, residential environment where staff can help to address personal issues and rebuild trainees’ confidence and self-esteem.

On average, trainees remain on their courses for nine-months followed by a work experience period of up to three months but trainees may start looking for work as soon as they feel able.

Julie finds employment in record time!

Peter Scudamore, Employment Development Manager at the Foundation’s Training College remembers, “Even in such a short time, Julie achieved a Core Skills Certificate in Office Administration but what made her stand out as being very special was her determination to find a job as soon as she could. Almost from day one, Julie was scouring newspapers and searching websites to see what was on offer in her local area. This was her first application and interview and we are delighted that she has found this interesting position which will get her life back on track,” commented Peter.

“I am in complete disbelief that I managed to get a job within such a short period of time. Everyone here at the Training College has been so supportive and I can never thank them enough. I have been on a massive journey of change and am now able to look to the future knowing that I both can and deserve more,” said Julie.

For further information, please contact Caroline Barratt, Public Relations Officer, Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation, Leatherhead Court, Woodlands Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 0BN. Email: caroline.barratt@qef.org.uk Tel: 01372 841129. Registered Charity No. 251051.