Case studies

Training is the key if you have ambitions in retail

Jane Griffin decided to do the Retail Ambition course as she hadn’t worked for 18 years and realised that she needed some support to get back into employment. After completing the two week training course Jane secured a temporary Christmas contract at ASDA in Bedminster.

She did so well in her new role that by the end of December she was given a permanent contract.

West at Work teamed up with the Cabot Circus developers the Bristol Alliance and other partners to create the Retail Ambition training which targeted unemployed people and those in unstable employment within specific Neighbourhood Renewal Areas.

Training provider WTCS delivered the training in partnership with Filton College at a number of venues across the city. The course covered a variety of topics such as communication skills, personal effectiveness, working in teams and interview techniques.

Jane said "I am glad I did the Retail Ambition course. It made me realise I wanted to work in a team and being a shopper at ASDA Bedminster I felt I wanted to work there. I knew that I would fit with them all. ASDA was the first job I applied for in 18 years and I got it."

Jane’s former Manager at ASDA, Paul Day said "Jane is very capable and very willing to learn the job, and to get on with the job. She is a very credible colleague in the department and I feel she has made many friends and colleagues alike who classify her as a friend too. She is a credit to the Retail Ambition course and I would never have guessed she had been out of work for 18 years."

Tracey Steele of WTCS said: “When someone visualises themselves working for a particular employer, it generally happens, as in Jane's case. Jane's out going personality and helpfulness shined whilst she was on the course and has proven to be her key asset when attending the ASDA group selection interview and thereafter being offered the job.”

Bristol beats the Big Apple any day!

Peter Miles left Bristol with his family when he was 12 years old to live in the bright lights of New York. However, twenty six years later when Peter returned to his home town he discovered that finding a job in England was very different to searching for work in the Big Apple.

Peter spent five months applying for jobs but with no luck. He had sent numerous CV’s and application forms and it soon became clear that Peter needed to brush up his skills if he was going to be successful. As he explained, “There were a few things which I found hard to get to grips with at first when I arrived home and started looking for work. For example CV’s are written quite differently in the States and I realised that I needed some help to get me on the right track.”

Knowing that he wanted to work in some sort of customer service role, Peter signed up for a two week Retail Ambition course aimed at equipping participants with the initial skills to work in the retail industry. The course, funded through the West at Work partnership, also provided advice and tips on CV writing, filling in application forms and going for interviews. Soon enough Peter was flying through the course and enjoying every minute.

He added; “I would definitely recommend the Retail Ambition course – it was exactly what I needed to get me kick started and gain the basics so I could start applying for work. Once I had a few pointers about where I was going wrong with my applications I secured a job really quickly. I also knew I wanted to work with people and the course gave me the skills and confidence to start applying for jobs in that field.”

Following the Retail Ambition course Peter secured a temporary position at Next as a team leader in their warehousing department and shortly afterwards was offered a permanent customer services role with the RAC.

Peter is now continuing further training with the RAC and is thoroughly enjoying his new job.

He added “I am so pleased I decided to come back to Bristol, the support I have had in finding work and gaining the necessary skills has been great. It’s nice to be home!”