Case Study

“It’s like swapping from an old black and white TV to a brand new colour one,” says Mariya, who is 43 and lives in London. “I’m not bad with technology but felt left behind after the few years I’d been away from work with the children. This was my first time using AI, but it was so easy. Lots of things we used to spend hours doing before happen so quickly and simply with AI programmes. They save us a lot of time and give us many new possibilities.”  

 

Following a past career in hospitality and housekeeping, Mariya is now interested in developing her fledgling business, Flora and Flame, or finding flexible work to accommodate her young family and degenerative back condition. The Restart Scheme has helped her update her CV and work skills while the AI Academy has seen her embrace her learning, embedding AI into part of her everyday life. 

 

“I’m really enjoying exploring the world of AI,” adds Mariya. “I was dubious about it before I understood it, but now I see the opportunities it can bring for me. I can design my business cards and leaflets on my own, and I’m currently working with an AI‑generating platform to create my website. 

 

“I now also understand how to tailor my CV effectively to job descriptions and navigate automated recruitment systems. AI helps us a lot, but it also creates a new level of recruitment process that I wasn’t aware of. You don’t know what you don’t know – I do now!” 

 

Over a series of five interactive sessions, the AI Academy builds jobseekers’ knowledge of AI tools. It explores the use of freely available services to enhance participants’ efforts and provides insight into navigating a world increasingly led by AI. Run at Ingeus’ Restart Scheme centres in London and Manchester, Mariya attended the Tottenham centre and says: 

 

“Having face‑to‑face training with a tutor made such a difference. You can ask questions and delve into different areas – it really opened my eyes to new opportunities. 

 

“It’s good to know that the Restart Scheme is backing me. They’ve given me direction for my job search and my business, but more than that, they’ve improved ME. All this support, the AI Academy classes – it’s pretty amazing. I wish the programme could reach more people like me and help them find their way in the new world of AI technology and opportunities.”