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A day in the life of

By Paul Martin (January 2008 Issue)
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Biscom is a specialist recruitment and training organisation which meets the needs of learners, partners and employers in a friendly, supportive and exciting environment.

With training centres across the West Midlands, Biscom contracts with Jobcentre Plus and the Learning and Skills Council.

It was the determination of its staff to help individuals create a better future that attracted me to the role of community outreach worker.

Because I’ve been out of work myself, I can identify with the people that Biscom helps, and enable them to find a way out of the maze of unemployment.

Pounding the streets of Birmingham, trying to transform the lives of its long-term unemployed residents, is all in a day’s work for me. I know what it’s like to face a future with no job, and with five children it was extremely difficult. Waking up in the morning and not having a job to go to is really depressing. There was nothing I wanted to do, most of my friends were also unemployed and many had criminal records, which made it very difficult for them to find work.

I found it easier to sit around and do nothing than seek help. But since becoming an outreach worker, I have never been happier. My life has real purpose – I experience such a sense of achievement by helping others.

My day begins at around 8.30am when I arrive at our Tyseley branch. We have a team briefing and I am given a destination for the day.

I could be sent to a shopping centre, train station or community centre – this is where people tend to go when they are at an all-time low.

It is my job to approach these people, speak to them and offer them job guidance.

Sometimes people can be a bit defensive but I just explain what type of organisation Biscom is and how it can help them. And, because I’ve been unemployed myself,they are much more receptive.

Recently I have been spending my mornings at the Fireside Homeless Centre in Birmingham city centre.

It can sometimes be difficult when you see the conditions that people who are out of work, and who are struggling financially, are forced to live in.

I work with a real variety of people; some have low level basic skills or qualifications and some are unemployed due to disability or long-term illness. Others are from ethnic minorities and there are candidates who are unemployed because they are lone parents and have no-one to look after their children during the working day.

I sit down with them and identify the issues preventing them from finding a job. Some simply need help filling out application forms, whereas others need to improve their numeracy and literacy skills.

Following my initial assessments, candidates are referred to our various branches, and a tailor-made training programme is put in place.

People work with Biscom’s tutors and life coaches to gain skills, confidence and work experience so they can get a job. As soon as they are ready, our job matchers secure interviews for them.

We offer various training programmes including apprenticeships, entry to employment and Train to Gain. It is so rewarding, and a privilege, to help other people better themselves.

I’m an example of Biscom’s success. When people hear how it has transformed my life, they realise that there is hope for them too.

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