Josh has recently completed Economic Development’s Routes to Recruitment Admin course, where he successfully completed National Progression Award in Administration: Office Skills & Services and European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL). While on the course Josh was successful in securing a Graduate Internship position within East Ayrshire Council. Interns are provided with an intensive programme of support and development by the Council’s Organisational Development team.
Josh is pictured here at a recent presentation ceremony with Ailie Macpherson, Organisational Development Manager, whose support has been fundamental in supporting and developing Graduate Interns within East Ayrshire Council in Partnership with the sponsoring Services..
Josh has continued his successful run by securing a post within the Finance and IT Service.
Josh’s story:
“Before the Routes to Recruitment training programme I
graduated with a 2:1 Honours degree in Accounting. However, after graduating I found it very
difficult to get a job and was often turned down due to lack of experience. Whilst attending Cumnock Job Centre after
University I was made aware of the Routes to Recruitment program and was then
offered the chance of an interview for the course. After a successful interview with Jacqueline
Sullivan I was delighted to be awarded a place on the 18 week course with this
being made up of 10 weeks in a training centre and 8 on placement within the
Council.
The weeks in the training centre were intense but with help
of mentor Jacqueline my confidence began to grow. This provided myself with the platform to
succeed for which I am grateful for. In
the training centre I learned new practical skills such as filing, faxing and
dealing with mail. I successfully
completed the National Progression Award in Administration and also passed the
European Computer Driving Licence.
After the completion of training, I was then provided with
the opportunity of going out on work placement within the Council. Beforehand, I was nervous but I also had the
desire to successfully implement skills gained from both the Training Centre
and University.
In my work placement, I was based within the Finance
department at the Opera House in Kilmarnock. Within the department I was made to feel at
ease instantly by my fellow colleagues. This enhanced my confidence to perform
to the best of my ability.
During my work placement I was successful in securing an
interview for a Graduate Intern role. After a successful interview I was offered a
job and will now be a full time employee of East Ayrshire Council for one year.
This would not have been possible
without the assistance of Jacqueline who arranged mock interviews beforehand. This proved an invaluable experience and
greatly improved my confidence before and during the interview.
I would like to say thank you to Jacqueline as without her continued
support and guidance I would not be in the fortunate position that I find
myself in. I would like to say a big
than you to Simon McBurnie and my fellow work colleagues who allowed myself to
feel at ease throughout the work placement and also made the experience one
which was enjoyable and helpful. Finally
a big thank you to my fellow peers who participated in the programme who it has
been a pleasure to share the experience with.
I would highly recommend the course to anybody
who is eligible to apply and who has an interest in Admin/ Office work. Over the duration, the course has provided
myself with a great platform to succeed and this is something that I am very
grateful for.”