Case Study

Finding work in a new sector lands Shanae her dream job

31 May 2021

Out of work Shanae Dunkley sought help from an employment support programme in the West Midlands – now she has a new career helping unemployed people to improve their job search skills.
 
“I just feel that it was meant to be,” said 27 year old Shanae from Edgbaston in Birmingham. She was supported by WHP JETS, the Work and Health Programme Job Entry Targeted Support scheme.
 
WHP JETS is a separate strand of the Work and Health Programme, delivered locally by Ingeus, on behalf of Shaw Trust. It is commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions and receives support from the European Social Fund.
 
Shanae was made redundant and subsequently struggled to find work due to the pandemic and economic downturn. She had experience as an office manager, dealing with administration, as well as liaising directly with customers, and managing a team of sub-contractors providing repair and home maintenance services.
 
“I failed to recognise that I had transferrable skills and could consider working in different sectors,” she explained. “The sessions I attended with Ingeus were invaluable and helped me to appreciate the skills that I had built up.”
 
“My Shaw Trust Employment Advisor, Majella Fitzpatrick, asked me about where I had previously worked and gradually built up a picture of my experience,” added Shanae. “I felt that my CV needed improving and was referred to Ingeus for employability support. My work history meant that I had a transferrable skill set and my drama degree ensures that I know how to present information and engage with people.”
 
Shanae used the Ingeus iWorks online platform to gain further insights on how her CV would be scored at the initial assessment stage and improved her interview techniques. Recognising her skills, her employment coach encouraged Shanae to apply for a vacancy working with unemployed people.
 
“The extensive support and guidance that I received from Ingeus ensured that I was thoroughly prepared for my interview – and I got the job,” said Shanae. “I feel my success is a sign that I can encourage other jobseekers to work in sectors they may not have considered before.”
 
Find out more about the Work and Health Programme delivered by APM as part of Ingeus
UK. APM Enabling Better Lives | APM| UK (apm-uk.co.uk)