Growing up in West Birmingham, Abdul knew from an early age that he wanted to make a difference. His passion led him to start his own youth organisation, which helped young people in his community to overcome various disadvantages. Today Abdul is using this same passion, and years of experience, to help people who now find themselves unemployed. As a Work Coach, Abdul acts as the first point of contact for jobseekers in his locality. His friendly and approachable nature allows him to quickly build rapport with his customers and learn of any barriers they might face. “I have a mutual respect policy,” says Abdul. “I always make sure I listen to what people have to say and help them in whatever way I can.”
Using the JobHelp website, Abdul provides jobseekers with guidance and tips on how to create a stand out CV. “There are various templates available online that people can use if they don’t know where to start,” advises Abdul. Since many of those he works with face language barriers, Abdul helps to place them on suitable courses* to improve their language skills and increase their confidence. This enables them to sustain longer term employment rather than settle for just temporary jobs. “Greater language fluency offers jobseekers greater job stability and allows them to communicate coherently with their colleagues,” says Abdul.
To help those with language barriers, Abdul connects them to Job Entry Targeted Support* (JETS), which provides tailored employment support for people who have been out of work and claiming Universal Credit or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance for at least 13-weeks. This includes specialist advice on how jobseekers can move into growing sectors, tips on building CVs, and interview coaching. Abdul believes poor language skills can also create barriers to technology use; with those who struggle with English finding it more difficult to navigate online. “This can slow down their job search,” says Abdul. “Although most people are aware of social media, they might not know how to utilise it to find vacancies or meet potential employers.” For this reason, Abdul connects jobseekers to digital training courses and shows them how to navigate online job search platforms.
A key part of Abdul’s role is to motivate jobseekers and help them build their confidence. He teaches them about the value of transferable skills so that they can easily shift skills from one sector to another. By taking this approach, Abdul has helped many people from diverse communities to unleash their potential.
His own Bangladeshi background has proved useful in his role, as he understands the cultural dynamics within Asian communities. As such, Abdul can challenge misconceptions about certain jobs and provide guidance on different sectors. “Young people want to become lawyers, doctors and teachers, not chefs and waiters as may be expected from their families,” says Abdul. “They are preparing for different career paths, and it’s my job to help them get there”. If you’re looking for work, JobHelp is a good place to start. See which sectors are hiring, the type of jobs available and the skills you need to succeed in them. Visit the JobHelp website to get started.
Find out more at gov.uk/jobhelp
[1] Sewell Race Report
[2] Sewell Race Report
