Hayley, from Yeadon, Bradford, was looking for a new career after being out of work for a year, having previously worked as a hairdresser for 2 and a half years.
She was told about an opportunity to gain work experience with one of a group of organisations participating in a Sector-based Work Academy for customer service by her JSA Advisor. Hayley decided to go for it because it was something different.
Hayley was one of 15 selected from 55 applicants to start a 2-week training course with Accent Foundation at Barkerend Business Centre in Bradford. The course was aimed at improving the candidates knowledge of customer service in the housing sector.
Hayley has enjoyed her time at placement and learnt new skills, one of which was the initiative and drive to ask if there are any jobs she can do which are outside her original scope of duties. This has been a major improvement after being out of work for up to a year.
Her duties consist of a range of administrative tasks which included taking phone calls, dealing with complaints and scheduling jobs for operatives.
She also prepared invoices for processing by the Finance Department as well as producing spreadsheets to help optimise her team’s organisation and planning. Hayley has come on leaps and bounds during her placement, even gaining the confidence to train a new colleague in matters as complicated as database administration.
Hayley would like to continue working at Yorkshire Housing in the Homeworks repairs team, having been offered a six month paid placement.