Job support in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire

Meet Joanne, an adviser in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire getting people into work and training 5 days a week. She's been changing people's lives for the last 10 years. 

Throughout the last decade Joanne has worked on the Supported Internship Scheme that supports young people on the spectrum to bridge the gap between education and employment as well as taught in SEN. She has set up work experience programmes, been a Careers Leader within Further Education Colleges and a Team Leader within Apprenticeships. She has specialised and focused as a Careers Advisor for the last 4 years. 

What is your proudest work moment so far? 

"I’m proud every time a customer leaves me appointment feeling empowered and like they can take on the next challenge. So many come to me deflated, unmotivated and frustrated with no idea which way to next go. I give them the tools and information so they can then be energized.” 

Here's something that might surprise you about Joanne 

“It took me a very long time to figure out what I wanted to do as a career, I never got impartial comprehensive careers advice during my education. My first and only careers adviser a school told me I couldn’t be a vet or an art therapist because I was dyslexic. The second was a computer software assessment that told me I should be a ruse worker. So, I tried a lot of avenues from Hairdresser, PR Officer in the Fashion Industry, Rock Climbing Instructor as well as studying Massage therapy, Product Design and Jewellery Making! I kind of fell into education as a career and from that day I never looked back”. 

Meet Jason, a Careers Adviser based in Stevenage, working in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire helping people get into work and training every day. Jason also acts as the lead Adviser for redundancy work, helping people and companies for over 9 years. 
 
Like most people, Jason's' career path wasn't planned or straightforward. Serving in the military as an Army Chef for 10 years, Jason learnt many skills which put him in good stead for the future. After many different roles in civilian life and a spell living in Cyprus for 7 years, Jason found himself unemployed, which is where he was introduced to the National Careers Service. From there, Jason became a freelance trainer delivering Employability Skills and Customer Service courses. This led to the opportunity to become a Careers Adviser, which Jason leapt at. 

 
What’s the best part of your job? 

"It's the customers I meet and speak to on a day-to-day basis.  It's a privilege seeing customers grow and develop. When customers tell me that with my help, they had the confidence to complete a training course which led on to finding a new job, I feel very proud.  I can honestly say that my current role provides the greatest job satisfaction of anything I have ever done." 
 
Here's something that might surprise you about Jason

"During my Army catering career, I had the privilege of cooking for most of the royal family at various events. They were all lovely, very chatty and interested in me and my food. I still do most of the cooking at home. My wife can't believe her luck! 

A careers adviser in Herts and Beds. Jenny helps people to get a job, change career or start a course every day. She's been inspiring people and helping them to reach their goals for over 10 years. 
 
Jenny’s background is in Accountancy and Finance but she wanted to help people develop and grow, so she became a careers adviser, a teacher and a life coach. Now she helps people overcome their barriers and limiting beliefs, that can keep them stuck and unhappy. 

What is your proudest work moment so far?   

“Helping so many people to believe in themselves. I can remember one of my customers, called Victoria. English was not her first language and she had lost her confidence after being bullied in the warehouse where she used to work. After attending my workshop, she decided to do the Functional Skills course. This helped her confidence, so she went on to achieve the Business Administration Level 2 qualification and immediately after got a job in an office. 

Victoria said: “Jenny, I will never be able to thank you enough, and I hope that more people will come across you and your wise advice. I hope you will achieve all your dreams, as you helped me achieve mine”. 

What’s the best part of your job? 

“Having the opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds, nationalities and cultures, allows me to provide an impartial and inclusive service that makes people feel that they matter. I love to hear my customers tell me how many interviews they got after applying what they learned from me.”