| JONATHAN STEPS FORWARD INTO EMPLOYMENT |
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Jonathan from Bangor joined the STEP Programme in May 2008. Jonathan was previously employed in a commercial retail environment and was keen to gain experience in the disability sector.
When a vacancy arose within USEL (Ulster Supported Employment Ltd) for a marketing administrator under the STEP programme Jonathan was successful in securing the STEP trainee position.
The trainee positions are funded by the European Social Fund on a one year fixed contract basis and offer participants the opportunity to gain employment skills and qualifications to enable them to move into permanent employment.
Jonathan was assigned to Rachel Waide, USEL’s Training Officer who helped him explore his career options and developed a training plan to ensure he gained relevant work skills.
During the programme Jonathan gained experience in a number of areas including customer service, telemarketing and event management. He became an integral member of the marketing team and through the knowledge he gained of employment services programmes during his employment at USEL he developed an interest in pursuing a career as an employment services officer.
Rachel worked closely with Jonathan to identify employment opportunities in this area and help him achieve his job goal.
When a position for an employment services officer became available in Stepping Stones, an organisation that provides training opportunities for people with learning difficulties, Jonathan applied for the position and was offered the full-time role with the organisation.
“Without my time on the STEP programme I would not have gained the necessary work skills to enable me to gain employment in my chosen career. I would like to thank USEL for all their help” commented Jonathan.
In addition, during the STEP Programme Jonathan achieved an OCR training qualification in Dreamweaver Web Design and an OCN in Customer Services Level 1.
Linda Laird, Jonathan’s manager at USEL commented “We are delighted with Jonathans progress on the programme and wish him every success in his new role.”
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| Katherine McKenna |
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