The future is brighter!

Mark Greer was at rock bottom when he came to The Salvation Army Employment Plus Centre in Cambridge.
 
A quiet and reserved person, Mark had applied unsuccessfully for numerous jobs over several months. He felt his age was the reason he was struggling to get work.

About being unemployed, Mark says, ‘It sucks. It’s demoralising [and] you feel like a piece of dirt, busting your gut and you don’t even get a job. You don’t want to be a statistic and there seems no end in sight.’

The Employment Plus team at Cambridge began working with Mark straight away. And while he had lost confidence in his ability to find a job, they knew he could do it. Work-based trainer Fiona Hume says, ‘We work with many people who have
great skills and are keen to work, but just need that extra help to get into a job.’

Mark was put onto the centre’s WorkNet programme, where he received the tools and knowledge to help him plan his working future. He was also helped to see work from an employer’s point of view, to better connect with potential employers.

WorkNet helps people update their CVs and gives them a chance to practise interview skills. It also teaches job search skills: how to identify where jobs are, what jobs might be most suitable and what qualities and skills will be required. All of this builds confidence in job hunting and helps people find a good job that suits them.

Workshops further strengthened Mark’s self-belief. When he was ready to get out and start looking for work again, he found job searching a far more positive experience. And he had his Employment Plus support network behind him, cheering him on.

While it took several more weeks to land a job, Mark was sure he would eventually succeed. He is now happily employed as a team member at Bunnings Warehouse in Cambridge.

Employment Plus was invaluable, Mark says. ‘It helped me market myself better to the employers—and I realised I had a lot of skills.’

Mark recently celebrated his six-month anniversary at Bunnings and is far more positive about life these days. ‘The future is a lot brighter for sure!’ he says. ‘[Employment] gives you the confidence to get out of bed in the morning. You know someone values you and you are a productive member of society.’

Being in employment certainly suits Mark, says Fiona. ‘Mark has totally transformed from a shy, quiet introverted man to one with a ready smile, who’s more confident and great with customers.’