I applied for a work placement with Denbighshire County Council to expand my workplace and interview confidence through practical application of relevant skills, gain administration experience with a large organisation and attain a larger pool of references to improve my chances of finding a full time job or career.

My experiences while on the placement were extremely positive, these included building comprehensive team working skills in a high pressure environment and learning about the processes surrounding the Homeless Prevention Team and their implementation. I also enjoyed working with many different types of hard working professionals not only in the Homeless Prevention Team but in Community Support Services as a whole across Denbighshire County Council.

The Work Scheme had an immeasurable impact on my life, allowing me to overcome my depression, give my life a sense of meaning and purpose and provided me with a pathway not only towards a short term job but a long term career as pivotal part of the Homeless Prevention Team.

My message for any individual thinking of a placement:

If you feel as though your working life is stagnating and failing to get off the ground, I cannot recommend the Work Start Scheme highly enough. They provided me with a fantastic level of support which allowed me to develop and showcase my skills in a real world working environment, build confidence and gain tangible experience that has allowed me to start a career that I’m extremely passionate about.

Administrator Placement in Denbighshire County Council

The Job Centre put me in touch with Working Denbighshire. I spoke to a Working Denbighshire mentor via the phone with the goal of finding a job in the IT Sector. They quite quickly asked if I was interested in applying for an Admin role through the Work Start Scheme. Naturally, I said I was interested in the role as I felt this was a good opportunity to get some vital work experience within an office environment.

With this being my first job in an office, there was a level of anxiety regarding starting a job, on top of this I started during a period where the UK was suffering upwards of ten thousand Coronavirus cases a day. I wasn’t just worried about the job itself but also the idea of being around other people. Throughout my time on placement I have been supported directly by my colleagues as well as my Work Start Placement Officer.

My colleagues have helped me to get to understand the role as well as how to operate within a team effectively, they’ve made me feel work ready. My Work Start Placement Officer has helped me to track my progression in the role as well as give me somebody I can talk to should I need to.

The brilliant thing about this Work Start role is that It’s helped to get me valuable work experience in order to get me ready for the next step in my career, which is exactly what I wanted from the role. I went to college to do IT and have since spent the last few years applying for roles in the IT sector. I had previously tended to get through the first interview and then after a second interview told that they liked me but sadly somebody had more experience. This role has put me into the office environment and allowed me to experience working in a team, and given me the confidence to know that I can achieve whatever I set my mind to. Towards the end of my placement I was invited to an Interview for an IT role and have successfully been offered the role following the second interview, which I credit to the Work Start Scheme for allowing me to get the experience I was looking for.

I would highly recommend people take advantage of the Work Start scheme as it allows you to develop yourself in a supportive and understanding environment. I truly believe this opportunity has been a positive experience that has helped me to increase my confidence and make me feel as though I’m back on track towards what I want to achieve.

Admin Support Officer Placement in Denbighshire County Council

Thanks so much for all your help and encouragement, it has helped more then you know.

Receptionist Placement in Denbighshire County Council