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New Start – opening doors to new careers

Making a change in your career can be a daunting prospect. Not knowing which career path you want to take, whether your skills will be right for the role and the possibility that you might not like your new job.

That’s where New Start can help. Our career starter programme gives you the opportunity to work with a careers advisor to find a new opportunity that suits you, figure out how your skills transfer to that role and provides five month paid placement opportunities so you can see if the job is right for you.

We recently caught up with some of our New Starters from the South Tyneside area to find out how the programme supported them into their new roles.

Michael Newman who lives in Hebburn was looking for a change in his career:

“I’ve been in construction since I left school, but New Start opened new doors to careers I’ve never looked at.”

New Start helped Michael get a role as a Fire Protection Installer with Ogilvie Fire Protection.

“They made it easy to get into. My advisor, Graeme was so helpful and friendly. They are so supportive and the whole thing builds you as a person. I’d recommend it to anybody, even if it’s just to try a new role to see what it’s like.

“Ogilvie have been so accommodating. I’d been getting public transport and it took me an hour and a half to get into work. Ogilvie sorted me out with a van and now it only takes me 15 minutes to get in.”

Emily Maughan from South Shields was trying to get back into work after take time off dur to poor mental health:

“I’d been sacked from my previous role and it really knocked my confidence. I was wondering if I should go back into customer services or try something else. New Start gave me the opportunity to try something totally different.”

New Start found Emily a role as a Support Worker with Billy’s Lifeline.

“I love the opportunity it’s given me. I work with people who have been bereaved due to suicide. It’s like customer service but much more personal. I always thought I’d be good at something like that as people like to talk to me, but I didn’t know I could do it as a career.

“It’s made me feel brilliant. The knowledge New Start gives you is so helpful. They take you through everything step by step and go at your own pace. It’s given me my confidence back. I’m back to being me again.”

Benjamin Tye from South Shields had been working in customer services selling stoves and fireplaces at his dad’s business.

“I wanted to do something new and maximise my skills while I’m young. I’ve now got a customer service advisor role at One Trinity Green working on the desk. There’s a lot more to it than my previous role, I’m developing administration skills and answering calls.”

Benjamin had struggled to get interviews in the past but New Start supported him through the process:

“I applied for lots of jobs and never really got anywhere. I thought I’d get some help rather than doing it all myself. The New Start Team helped me with my CV and provided interview prep, it gave me a real boost. I also got to take part in an open day where you could meet the employers and learn more about the jobs available which was useful.”

“New Start got me the job I wanted and I’m really enjoying it. It’s so simple and quick.”

Fiona Muir got a job working Kayaks, a charity in South Shields dedicated to helping children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities:

"I'd just graduated from university and was trying to find a job in marketing, tourism and events. It's currently really hard due to the level of competition and my lack of work experience.

"I'd tried other employment courses but there was always a lot of stages to go through. New Start was much more accessible and streamlined. The whole process from meeting your advisory, to talking to the employers and doing the interview was so fast.

"Kayaks has been really good. I've had the opportunity to plan marketing activities and get more experience there. I've also had the chance to get to know other businesses in South Tyneside and make connections for future opportunities."

Whether you’re starting a new career or get back into work after a break or looking for your first job, New Start can help. We can support you with any barriers you face to finding work and our employment advisors can help you every step of the way. Plus, we offer a great range of career opportunities with local employers helping you find the right start for you. 

New Start South Tyneside is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The project is supported by South Tyneside Council and is a partnership between Karbon Homes and HENNE.

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