Kerry Harker, Higham Hill
Works for Whipps Cross Hospital
“I discovered Worknet services when I took my daughter to a Higham Hill Children Centre fun day at the Hut. I’m a single mum and hadn’t really thought I could go back to work. Kenni, the Worknet Outreach Officer, told me about the support that was available to help people like me so I thought I’d give it a go.
“Kenni was really friendly and made an appointment for me at the Worknet Job Club. I got help to write my CV, which meant I could apply for a receptionist job at Whipps Cross hospital.
“I was really pleased to get an interview for the job, and Kenni helped me to prepare for it. We thought about the kind of questions they would ask me and how I would sell myself. And when the day came, I got the job!
“I’ve been working at Whipps Cross for over six months now, and I love it. One of the best things is that my income is so much higher now, and I was able to afford a holiday in the Caribbean, something I’d never have been able to do before.”
Mohammed Hussain, Chingford
Works as a Housing Management Assistant for CBHA
“Being unemployed was boring. I didn’t want to hang around doing nothing, so when I read about Worknet in wfm I thought I would go to a drop-in.
“I’d previously done an Entry to Employment course but I hadn’t been able to find further training or work. What I really wanted was to get an apprenticeship role training in business or administration, but I wasn’t sure how.
“Worknet helped me to get a CV together and then to apply for the Training Trust programme, which supports young people to do apprenticeships. My application was successful, and in August this year I started as an apprentice at the housing association CBHA.
“I’m telling all my friends about Worknet now. My apprenticeship means I get paid while I’m learning, what could be better?”
Dayaratna Jayasekara, Walthamstow
Works as a Safety Steward for Centre Circle Event Management
“Before I found out about Worknet, I’d been looking for work for over two years. I had experience in maintenance work, and I’m trained in health and safety and have a CSCS card. Even so, I wasn’t having any luck finding a job.
“I went along to the Worknet Job Club at the Priory Court Community Centre to see if they could help me. The outreach officer, Kenni, looked through my CV and drew up an ‘action plan’ of what I should do. I went along to all the training sessions and interviews she suggested, and after a few months it paid off.
“I attended an open day held by the training company AKONA, and found out how to get my SIA security badge. Since then, I haven’t looked back. I am employed for a security company that has contracts to work at places like Wembley and Leyton Orient. I really enjoy my job, and I’m grateful to Kenni for believing in me and helping me to get here!”
