The research highlighted that ‘Customer Service’ and 'Time Management’ workshops would be of great benefit to help support staff in their day-to-day roles with customers and shipment fulfilment.

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Orbital Fasteners is a leading distributor of fixings, fasteners, tools& power tools in the UK with over 35 years’ experience in product, application know-how and customer service.

After an initial contact with the Operations Manager, our research into the company pointed to the potential that Multiply training in number skills could support staff in their roles. The Operations Manager completed an employer questionnaire to help us and them identify opportunities for training and upskilling. The results highlighted that ‘Customer Service’ and ‘Time Management’ workshops would be of great benefit to help support their staff in their day-to-day roles with customers and shipment fulfilment.

In order for staff to attend the ‘Customer Service’ workshop while maintaining day-to-day operations in the business, we arranged two Customer Service workshops across the day. The Operations Manager said that he was very happy with the workshops and we look forward to working with the company going forward to help support both their current workforce and future new starters.

Orbital Fasteners Ltd.

Local employer & Step2Skills partner

'Working for a professional and supportive employer like Halfords has increased Amy’s confidence and motivation.'

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The Local Supported Employment service helps unemployed residents, like Amy, who live in Hertfordshire and have been diagnosed with a learning disability or autism, into paid work. Her mentor, Jonathan explains;

‘Amy joined our service in August 2024 having already been on work tasters with several companies. Her goal was to secure a paid position and was recommended Step2Skills to achieve her goal of finding paid employment. Amy had been attending several interviews for retail positions in her locality but had been unsuccessful in passing this recruitment stage.

Amy needed a positive role model to support her and to help learn how to conduct herself at interviews. Our service has trained Employment Advisors and professionals that provide constructive feedback with answering interview questions effectively.

I was given the opportunity to prepare Amy for her first work opportunity by understanding her skills, aspirations, and goals. Amy had a desire to work in a local retail role, so I placed her into her local Co-Op store to gain more work experience in this field. Amy excelled in the role and was given the opportunity to try different responsibilities in the store. At the end of the work taster, Amy had gained confidence in knowing that a retail role was what she wanted.

Following that, I worked on a weekly basis with Amy, looking for a local supportive employer who would support Amy with her disability and make allowances for her working hours and shift patterns. I supported Amy with being able to search for jobs confidently, create a CV and improve her interview technique.

Working together we identified the type of working roles Amy would like to do and applied for Halfords in Stevenage. She successfully passed an interview with Halfords and was delighted to start as a Sales Advisor.

Two months later, Amy is performing well in the placement thanks to both the support from Step2Skills and the excellent inhouse training that Halfords and Co-Op have provided.

Working for a professional and supportive employer like Halfords has increased Amy’s confidence and motivation. Having now found her first paid career opportunity in retail, Amy is enjoying working in a position that is suitable for her needs.'

 

 

Amy

Employment Support participant, 2024

'Thanks to the hard work of my Employment Advisor Jonathan, I was offered an excellent opportunity of a work trial within the Legal Services department at Hertfordshire County Council. The opportunity was offered by Michael, Head of Legal Operations.'

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Michael and the team in Legal Services at Hertfordshire County Council recently gave a work experience opportunity to Step2Skills participant, Jack.

Work tasters are a valuable part in the process of helping people with a barrier into paid work; giving the participant an experience of something they think they might like to do, helping us to see how they get on and for the participant to gain feedback from an employer.

Jack's CV listed financial, audit, and research skills and qualifications and it was for this reason that Michael felt he could benefit from a work taster within Legal Services.

In Michael's words; 'The biggest lesson I have learned from this experience is, we can do lots of work to assist in preparing candidates for the workplace. However, the real work is preparing the employer in how to spot the hidden talent. A work taster offers a candidate the opportunity to show a potential employer their skill set as opposed to simply narrating it. A little additional time spent up front saves time and money in the future, not to mention employing candidates who are qualified, enthusiastic and committed/dedicated.

This is exactly where Step2Skills come in, educating employers, and walking them through the journey. The key is time. You get far more back than you put in so investing time up front is essential. I would say that Step2Skills is not a recommendation but a necessity. Interviewing skills need to be more diverse and more time spent on preparing a suitable setting that can be adapted for different individuals.' 

Jack

Employment Support participant, 2023