Mathieu overcomes barriers to become a teaching assistant

Mathieu, 64, from Enfield, had been out of work for a year and a half before joining the Restart Scheme in June 2024.  

He had previously worked as a teaching assistant but had to leave his job and go back to Congo for family reasons. After returning to the UK, he needed tailored support to find employment again.

When Mathieu joined the Restart Scheme, he did not have a CV and was unsure how to apply for jobs or use a computer for job searches.  

His Employment Advisor, Alessandro Rizzi, helped Mathieu create a CV that showcased his skills, and met with him twice a week to work on job applications, respond to emails, and review any responses from employers. 

One of Mathieu’s biggest barriers was the lack of funding for travel to interviews and the office. Alessandro reimbursed him for his travel costs, so he could attend important meetings and interviews around London.  

With further support from the Employer Engagement team, Mathieu registered with two teaching agencies, Bouncers Teacher and Empowering Learning, who then helped him secure a new role. 

After starting his new role in September 2024, Mathieu reflected: “I am thankful to Maximus and my advisor Alessandro for the help that I have received in getting back to work. I always felt motivated by Alessandro day after day to transform my life.”