Futures@Cymoedd help Christian get a foot on his Career ladder

Futures Employment Bureau has once again helped match the skills of a Construction learner to the needs of a local employer. The Bureau was set up in during April 2019 to support learners leaving the college to gain employment; providing help with CV’s, job applications and interview skills.

When Lyndon Moon, Acorns Nurseries, Maintenance Manager contacted Futures regarding a vacancy for a Trainee Painter/Decorator to support the business, the Futures team shared the opportunity with the Level 2 in Painting and Decorating alumni, who had recently completed their qualification at the college.

Christian Reynolds (29) from Caerphilly was quick off the mark to respond, expressing an interest in the role. He had recently completed his Level 2 in Diploma Painting and Decorating course at the Ystrad Mynach campus but due to the pandemic had been experiencing difficulty in finding employment.

In the following weeks Christian received 1:1 support from Futures to ensure his CV included all aspects of his work experience and promoted the transferrable and sector specific skills he had to offer. This together with Christian’s ambition to work within the industry – made him a perfect match to the job opportunity at Acorns Nurseries.

Christian’s CV was submitted to Acorns Nurseries for consideration for the role. He was then shortlisted and asked to attend a socially distanced interview on site at Cathays, Cardiff and offered the position.

Commenting on Christian’s appointment Lyndon Moon said “Christian is enjoying his new role, and doing really well with the company; he’s happy with the job. He’s a really good lad.  Christian is about to start his NVQ Level 2 in Painting and Decorating, which will be supported through Coleg y Cymoedd Upskilling@Work provision”.

Michele Harris-Cocker (Futures@Cymoedd Coordinator) added “It has been a real pleasure supporting Lyndon Moon, Acorns Nurseries, Maintenance Manager with the recruitment of a Trainee Painter and Decorator.  As soon as I met Christian and had a chat about the role and gained a better understanding of his previous work experience and the skills and knowledge he had obtained I knew he was a perfect match. Through a series of meetings, together we worked through his CV ensuring we were highlighting why he was the person for the job.

Christian applied, interviewed and was appointed during a challenging and unprecedented time of a global pandemic, it just goes to show how resilient he is; his motivation, passion and hope has certainly paid off.  He is a pleasant young man who is fully committed to his new role and keen to learn new skills to help fulfil his career ambition and opportunity for further progression”.

Speaking about his new employment at Acorns Nurseries Christian said” “ I am really enjoying the job, its going great the team are fab, the time is flying by. Michele from the Employment Bureau helped me find a role to fulfil my career aspiration of working as a Painter and Decorator during a very difficult time in my life when I thought my chances of finding a good job would be slim during the difficult times we were facing and impact the pandemic was having within our communities and economic climate.

Michele has been very supportive from day one, helping make sure my CV was a good match to the job vacancy at Acorns Nurseries Maintenance Department through to interview and maintaining contact to see how I have settled in. Thank you so much for your help I really appreciate it, you have been great and really helpful.  I am looking forward to starting my NVQ Level 2 in Painting and Decorating; I will be keeping in touch to let you know how it’s all going”.

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