Teenager Brian Walker’s search for work was proving fruitless and frustrating until he landed a training course with Glasgow Community & Safety Services (GCSS). Now the 18-year-old has earned a full-time post with specialist van outfitters Vanax Ltd in Dalmarnock.
Brian from Temple, Glasgow, completed a nine week Choiceworks training programme run by GCSS. Staff helped prepare him for the workplace developing skills such as improving his CV, punctuality, goal setting, commitment and flexibility. After graduating, GCSS found Brian a work placement with Vanax Ltd in Mordaunt Street. He impressed them so much he has now been offered a permanent job.
Brian’s success was boosted by a £500 grant from the Prince’s Trust which enabled him to buy specialist tools to fit the interiors of commercial vehicles with bespoke storage solutions and accessories. He said: “I was out of work for about five months and had had no luck finding a job. I was applying for jobs but getting no response and it was really frustrating. The Choiceworks course and Prince’s Trust grant have helped me a lot. It’s great to be back working and getting into a routine again. I’m really enjoying being at Vanax and the pay will come in handy too!”
Bailie Fariha Thomas, Chair of GCSS, said: “Our Choiceworks programme aims to help young people develop their employability skills and find them work placements which could ultimately lead to a permanent post. We work with a number of supportive employers. Brian has worked hard over the last 18 weeks to boost his chances of getting a job. His commitment has now paid dividends and he has boosted his future prospects. Partnership working such as this with Vanax Ltd and the Prince’s Trust is helping young people achieve their potential and contribute to the local economy.”
Johnny Dunne, Director of Vanax Ltd, explains why his company took on the GCSS trainee. “Brian impressed all staff within our organisation. He was able to pick up new tasks and learned quickly without repetitive training. He showed he was more than capable of fulfilling the role we envisaged for him and has gone from strength to strength from the start of his placement. He has been working within our busy van lining department operating state-of-the-art CNC cutting machinery. I would suggest all employers give serious consideration to the benefits of placements on offer from GCSS.”
The Prince’s Trust works closely with GCSS. It receives Cashback for Communities funding from the Scottish Government which it uses to support young people to remove financial barriers prohibiting them from accessing training, education or employment. It assists young people with grants up to a maximum of £500 who most need help which includes the long term unemployed, educational underachievers, offenders / ex-offenders and those in or leaving care.
Picture: Brian Walker (second left) is pictured being congratulated on his new job by Jamie Callaghan of GCSS (left), Douglas Davidson of the Prince’s Trust and Johnny Dunne, Director of Vanax Ltd.
Glasgow City Council Press release
Glasgow Community & Safety Services Press release