A Seetec routeway in Swindon has helped Amy to overcome 13 years of unemployment
After a lengthy period of unemployment, 32-year-old Amy was referred to Seetec in Swindon for help with finding a job.
She found it difficult to return to work due to mixture of her childcare commitments and her mental health challenges.
In a bid to improve her chances of finding employment in the childcare sector, Amy has previously completed a number of training courses and voluntary placements.
Despite her best efforts, Amy needed support to feel confident enough to overcome her social anxiety challenges.
She first learnt about Seetec when her Jobcentre Plus work coach suggested the Work and Health Programme (WHP) to her.
Curious about how WHP could help, Amy agreed to attend a ‘group information session’ (GIS) to find out more.
Barriers to work
At the GIS, Amy met with employment adviser, Carol from Seetec who told her how Seetec could support her.
Amy found Carol’s explanation of the WHP offer appealing and she was referred to Seetec for help with her journey back to work.
On her first appointment, Amy met with Carol, and she was happy to learn that Carol would be her employment adviser moving forward.
Having discussed her barriers to work with Carol, Amy was keen to hear how Seetec could help her address them.
Keen to move forward
To help improve her mental health, Carol referred Amy to ‘Health and Wellbeing’ support with Liv from our social enterprise; Pluss.
Amy tells us; “I remember feeling nervous at first, but Liv was very welcoming, and these sessions were really helpful.”
After attending sessions to help her manage anxiety and prepare for change, Amy was keen to move forward.
At her 1:1 appointments, Amy spoke to Carol about working within the childcare and education sectors.
Focus on finding work
Amy had previously completed training in working with children and she was keen to direct her WHP journey towards working within childcare.
Carol helped Amy to explore her training requirements and referred her for virtual training with The Digital College and Aspire Education.
When Amy joined the training courses, Carol was on hand to reassure and keep her on track.
Having completed the virtual training sessions, Amy wanted to find a job and Carol encouraged her to attend job club sessions to help her to focus on finding work.
Carol then suggested the ‘childcare routeway’ to Amy as it meant she would get the chance to gain further training. It offered her a guaranteed interview too!
A brilliant opportunity 
Seetec regularly host routeways that usually consist of employability skills training, sector specific training and a guaranteed interview.
For this routeway, Amy joined a group of four participants with ambitions to work in the childcare sector.
Amy says; “It was a brilliant opportunity to gain relevant qualifications and it helped my social anxiety as I was part of a small, friendly group.”
The routeway group took on paediatric first aid training with Swindon and Wiltshire Innovative Care Hub (SWITCH) and completed safeguarding training with The Digital College.
Exactly what I needed
Seetec’s employability trainer, Stephen helped Amy with updating her CV and cover letter to suit the childcare sector.
As promised in the routeway offer, Seetec brokered an interview with North Star Nursery for Amy.
Stephen was once again on hand to assist Amy with her interview preparations.
A revitalised Amy lived up to expectations at interview and was offered the job as a nursery assistant.
Delighted with the outcome, Amy tells us; “The routeway has proven to be exactly what I needed.”
“Carol and the Seetec Swindon team have been brilliant!”
Carol tells us; “Amy has shown amazing determination and a drive to succeed, and her success is well deserved.”
Win-win situation for everyone involved
Integration lead, Caroline, is responsible for overseeing sector specific routeways at Seetec offices across Bristol and Wiltshire.
Caroline tells us; “Routeways are a very effective way of helping to meet the local labour market needs, it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.”
She continues; “The participant gets to upskill, and the employer gets a ready-made candidate, trained to their specific needs.”
Two of the four participants on this routeway have started working and the others are continuing their training journey.
Pleased with the success of this routeway, Caroline is looking forward to arranging more.
Seetec is always on the lookout for employers to partner with for routeways and encourage employers to contact insertname@seetec.co.uk
Employee of the month 
Having completed her induction and onboarding training, Amy has settled in very well at North Star Nursery.
She is enjoying the routine of being back to work and feels re-energised and much better within herself.
Her passion and dedication to the role have clearly been noticed as she has already won the employee-of-the-month award.
Amy tells us; “The comments were so lovely that I cried when I received the award!”
Her hopes for the future are to establish herself in her current role and to take any progression opportunities.
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Can a sector specific routeway help you to get the job that is right for you?
Ask your work coach at Jobcentre Plus about the Work and Health Programme.
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