Remington Mills was low in confidence and out of work when his local Job centre recommended he improve his computer skills at the Hope Foundation, a UK online centre in the the town. The former food services worker, 54, who lives in the centre of Middlesbrough had been out of work for 8 months and was beginning to get disheartened.
Remington says: “It was the second time I’d been made redundant in 15 years so losing my job was a real blow. It was a point of pride that I was a worker and had always earned my own money so I really wanted to get back into work straight away.”
However it was soon obvious there were some skills Remington needed to be able to even get started on his job search. He says, “It had been a long time since I’d had to look for work I’d just never used computers before, I hadn’t used them at work and they certainly weren’t around when I was at school. I didn’t realise just how much I would need them for my job hunt.”
Remington was referred to his local UK online centre by the Job Centre, who encouraged him to improve his computer and internet skills. Getting started with computers was to be the first step of his route back to work. “I was pretty nervous visiting the Hope Foundation, but I knew it would be a real help in getting a new job. I needed to learn all the basics - I didn’t even know how switch a computer on! I moved on pretty quickly, which meant I could start looking at job search websites which was a real help. “
Remington had soon updated his CV online, so when he found new vacancies at the Job centre he could send it out straight away over email. This led him to applying for a temporary position with the Post Office over Christmas.
“The staff at the Hope Foundation helped me to apply and I got the job! I was dead chuffed - it was only temporary but it was a big step for me to be working again after 8 months, a really boost to my confidence.”
The Hope Foundation, a UK online centre based in the centre of Middlesbrough, see a lot of people in the same boat as Remington. Employability Tutor, Andrew Donaghy says: “Because industry has traditionally been the largest employer in the area there are so many people - especially those of a slightly older generation - that are finding themselves out of work without the skills they need to find a new job.”
“They often don’t realise that even what they think of as manual jobs - like security, care work or working in a warehouse - need ICT skills to make sure accurate records are kept and reports are made.”
“It’s great to see someone who was initially not even comfortable touching a mouse, gain these skills, and we were all delighted to see Remington rewarded for his hard work and efforts by gaining employment.”
With the support of the centre, Remington has begun his job search again following the successful completion of his temporary role. He says, “Because the job with the Post Office was only temporary I am looking again, but I can go to the Hope Foundation every day if I like, and it makes all the difference. I’ve done other courses there to improve my literacy and numeracy and at the moment I’m working towards an Employability Award.”
Remington knows what he wants to do next. He says, “I worked in the food industry for thirty-five years, as everything from a kitchen porter to a baker, so I really want to get back into that.
“I don’t think it would be possible without the help of everyone at the Hope Foundation. And it’s not just the job and the training, I’m really proud of my new skills but the centre has made me more confident too. Just meeting new people, chatting and making friends has really opened me out. The Hope Foundation changed my life, I just wish I’d done it all years before!”
