A new career
Restart Scheme and Blue Apple Training give Scott the skills to succeed
Scott Harvey, from Leeds, is embarking on a new career in administration after receiving support from the Restart Scheme and Blue Apple Training.
Scott, 23, joined the scheme in June, with only previous work experience as a Warehouse Assistant in 2021.
When he met with Jake, his Employment Advisor, Scott felt his main barriers to employment were his lack of work experience, transferable skills, and interview techniques. Jake was on the lookout for a role in administration, but was also open to exploring apprenticeships within the IT sector.
To help him overcome his barriers, Jake booked him onto an interview training session with the Restart Scheme’s Employability Coaches. Jake also spent time teaching Scott the STAR method for answering competency-based questions.
Scott said: “I very much appreciated the training that Maximus and my advisor Jake put together. The interview session was particularly useful to understand the types of interviews that I may come across.”
Jake enlisted the help of our Community Partnership Network member, Blue Apple Training, to help Scott to further enhance his skills. Scott soon enrolled on two of their courses – the BTEC Level 1 in Workskills and BTEC Level 1 Principles of Customer Service.
Blue Apple Training’s Employer Engagement Executive, Tutor and Designated Safeguarding Lead, Robyn Atkinson, and Contracts Manager, Kevan McCarthy, guided Scott though the courses – on which he excelled.
Scott said: “Blue Apple Training’s courses have been such a help for me to develop my existing skills, specifically their customer service course, which is so great for any person needing customer service as a skill. I could not have asked for a better team to aid me through these courses. Robyn and Kev were such nice people and gave me support whenever I asked for it.”
Through the Jobcentre, Scott came across a vacancy for an Administrative Assistant. Scott needed help with the application, so turned to Jake for help. He submitted his application and quickly secured an interview.
After some pre-interview advice from Jake, Scott showcased his newfound knowledge, and was delighted to be offered the role. Scott began his new job as an Administrative Assistant in November.
Scott said: “My journey on the Restart Scheme has not been as long as I thought it would be, which just goes to show how skilled they are at helping people like me to find employment.
“Jake is the best advisor anyone could ask for – always willing to help with any questions I had or give me pointers with application forms.
“I’m looking forward to my new job and I’m sure I’ll gain such good experience from the role.”
Jake, Scott’s Employment Advisor, said: “Scott has been a joy to have on the Restart Scheme.
“From his first meeting, he has been punctual, engaged and proactive. He is an enthusiastic, polite and hard-working young man who will go far in his new role and beyond – I’m made up for him.”
Robyn Atkinson, Employer Engagement Executive, Tutor and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Blue Apple Training, said: “Scott was an absolute pleasure to teach. He was willing and dedicated to his search in employment from the very beginning. He was extremely helpful, polite, respectful, and hardworking.
“I knew that he was job-ready from his positive attitude. When Scott announced that he had been successful in securing a job, he said that he felt the Workskills course had given him the skills and ability to conduct himself well within that interview. Of course, he already had a lot of the qualities and skills employers would be looking for.
“Both myself and Kev built a great relationship with Scott and wish him all the success and happiness for the future.”
