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Category: Case studies
Titch’s first placement was on Durkan Ltd’s Electric House programme. This was the first big development site she had been on so she was nervous, however JBT reassured her that she would have full support during her apprenticeship.
A month into her placement, Titch was progressing well with her practical skills, but despite encouragement from site management and support from JBT, she still lacked confidence; she was still a little ‘shaky’ and finding the site environment a little daunting. JBT decided to move her to Network Homes’ / United Living’s South Kilburn programme upon completion of her placement at Electric House.
Moving Titch to South Kilburn, under the direct on-site mentorship of Beverley Wilson , a JBT trainee painter & decorator in her 60s, proved a great success.
Titch’s site manager Bob Jenkins (United Living) stated that Titch picked things up quickly. Pitor Sadkowski, her designated supervisor, said that if she continued to progress she will do very well in the future. Titch told JBT that she was really enjoying the work but that there was a lot more to painting and decorating than she first thought.
Titch, unfortunately, found herself in a difficult position financially, with demands for payment relating to her recently stopped housing benefits and the knock-on rent arrears. Titch struggled with communicating with the relevant organisations, and had become very stressed. Titch was wondering if she should leave the programme, so that the benefits would be re-instated. JBT were not going to allow this to happen, if we could possibly help it. We invited Titch into the office, contacted the organisations on her behalf and came up with a payment plan which would allow Titch to support herself and pay off her debts at the same time. JBT also analysed her income versus her outgoings, and adviced her on how to manage her finances in the future.
At Titch’s site reviews, feedback suggested that Titch’s “timidness” and possibly too heavy a reliance on Beverly may be holding her back; she does need to be more exposed to job opportunities and try not to shy away from putting herself forward so that her capabilities are obvious to others.
Titch seemed to still lack confidence so we spoke to her about going on an assertiveness training course, which she readily agreed to.
Titch attended her assertiveness course, successfully completed her NVQ, Maths & English in March 16; her apprenticeship will be completed mid-June and employment has already been lined up. Great News.
JBT would like to thank Durkan, Network Homes and United Living for giving this young woman the opportunity to change her life prospects. We would like to thank, Bob Jenkins (see pictured above with Titch) for his whole hearted commitment to the programme and his ability to build a relationship with each and every person on it. Thank-you also to Piotr Sadkowski, Titch’s designated supervisor. Beverly deserves a mention for her mentorship of Titch and last but no means least, Titch herserslf, for being so brave.
Titch qualified and went into work.
