Harworth man who applied for 100 jobs in lockdown finally lands role after North Notts College joins forces with new business

The two-week online course was designed in-line with vacancies available at Butternut Box, to help the trainees gain the skills needed to hit the ground running in their new roles.

All students were guaranteed an interview at the end of the course and Allan Winter, who is aged 33 and lives in Harworth was one student who was successful; he is now employed in a full-time permanent role as a general operative.

Allan said: “After being let go from my job in the first lockdown, I was looking for labour or construction work and applying for jobs every day, but I wasn’t having any luck.

“I applied for over 100 jobs and was giving up hope. I asked the Job Centre what I could do to improve my chances and that’s how I got onto the course at North Notts College.

“I was nervous about learning online, I thought it would be awkward, but it was OK and it means you don’t have to travel anywhere and you can have a cup of tea while you’re learning.

"“For anyone who’s struggling to find work I would advise them to look anywhere and everywhere to get back to work, whether it’s a learning course like I’ve done, or make more contact with job centres or your local college to see what they can do.”

North Notts College’s Adult and Community learning manager Melanie Hancock said working with Butternut Box had been a huge success and something the College would like to do more of.

Mel said: “It’s great to work with local employers so we can help upskill local residents in-line with their requirements.

This is where new homes could be built in North Anston

"These bespoke courses offer a two-fold benefit: employers gain staff that have been trained for free in-line with their vacancies, which means they are ready to hit the ground running, and it offers job seekers the chance to boost their employability skills.”

Mel continued: “We are really proud of all the students’ hard work and dedication on the course, particularly with it being moved online last minute because of the change in Government guidance in January. We are delighted for those who have been successful in gaining employment and wish them well in their new roles.”

Laura Gordon, head of People at Rudie’s Kitchen at Butternut Box said they were keen to look at all opportunities to attract local candidates.

Laura said: “The pandemic has had devastating impacts and in a lot of cases caused many people being furloughed or to lose their jobs creating uncertainty. Opening a Butternut Box Kitchen in Blyth gave us an opportunity to attract local talent and boost employment in the local area.

"Partnering with North Notts College gave us an additional avenue to grow awareness about the roles we were recruiting for and also train interviewees on the skills we were looking for so they also felt equally prepared and gained important skills for the future.”

The training course was created in partnership with Worksop Job Centre and Bassetlaw District Council.

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