Orchard Training Solutions, the Employer Engagement Arm of Hopwood Hall College, has just had its first successful job outcome under the Response to Redundancy project.
The Orchard Skills Centre on Drake Street, Rochdale offers short courses to people who are unemployed, with the aim of helping them re-skill or refresh and learn about new vocations, as well as helping them boost their confidence with employability skills, advice and guidance.
Anthony Grant was recently referred to the Skills Centre where he initially had an Information, Advice and Guidance session with Natalie Davies. Natalie, one of the IAG Officers at the Skills Centre said: “Initially when Anthony came into the centre, he lacked confidence and motivation. After completing the Pathway to Office Skills course with tutor David Kari, he had a new-found enthusiasm and was keen to be booked onto another course.”
The following week Anthony went to the centre to enrol on his new course with news that he had secured a job interview. That interview was followed by news of a second stage interview and finally a formal job offer.
Anthony of Rochdale said “I can’t praise Orchard Skills Centre enough. The overall service was excellent from the way the tutor dealt with me and the other students, to the individual one to one guidance I received. It gave me such a lift during the two weeks I was there and really built my confidence. I couldn’t have asked for more.”
The staff at the centre all noticed a change in Anthony from the first time he walked in. Natalie remarked: “The transformation in Anthony was fantastic to see. He was so happy to have received his job offer and we are all really pleased that he has achieved such a positive outcome. It makes our job feel really worthwhile and we look forward to many more success stories like Anthony’s in the future.”