Conquering Your Employment Goals: Carl’s Case Study
August 2020 was a devastating month for employment, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) the number of employees in the UK on payrolls was down by an estimated 730,000 compared with March 2020. As an initiative to support candidates from our community during the pandemic who were out of work, KX Recruit partnered with King’s Cross Estate Services (KCES), our onsite facilities and property management team, to offer an exclusive paid work experience programme to Camden and Islington candidates.
The programme was created to enable candidates with no prior experience or qualifications in engineering, landscaping, or environmental services to gain some hands-on experience and skills. Carl was one of the candidates who applied for this work experience programme – this is his story.
As an Islington candidate, Carl enlisted the help of Barnsbury Job Centre who recommended him to KX Recruit for one of their roles. In February 2020, Carl contacted KX Recruit and applied for a caretaking role that was being advertised. One of our Recruitment Managers got in touch with Carl to offer their support with the application process. Unfortunately, Carl’s first application didn’t have the outcome we were all hoping for, however, Carl didn’t give up and continued to work with KX Recruit on securing employment.
Through 1-2-1 support, we were able to get a better understanding of Carls background and what his employment goals were. With a lengthy security background in Jamaica: where he provided security to hospitality, public and retail venues – arduous work was not new to him. Security was Carl’s preferred industry for finding work, however, he wanted to secure employment now to enable him to continue work on obtaining an SIA badge and gain employment within the security industry.
After months of being unemployed, Carl was eager to get closer to his employment goal, believing work to be an intricate part of our daily lives he began his job search. A role came up through KX Recruit with King’s Cross Estates Services for an Estates Operative for which he was successfully interviewed; impressed by his adaptability, and keenness Carl was offered a full-time role.
Unfortunately, within the same week, the UK’s first lockdown began, because of this, he couldn’t start with KCES. Most would be disheartened, but Carl took it in his stride and didn’t let it deter him on his journey to employment. Talking about why he stayed positive Carl adds;
“Hard work and dedication will allow you to accomplish whatever goals you want to accomplish in life. Continuing to apply for roles after something doesn’t work out is hard, but if you need something in life you have to go for it. Sometimes you may be tired, frustrated, and worried but you still have to try. Sometimes you must walk an extra mile to get to the light at the end of the tunnel. So, I decided to walk the extra mile. During that time, it was tough because the world is going through a crisis, but I had to keep going.”
KXR stayed in touch with Carl throughout lockdown until our offices eventually reopened in the summer and working life began to resemble a sense of normality on the development.
Subsequently, KXR and KCES launched a two-week paid work experience programme for local residents in September 2020. Touching on the importance of our two-week work experience programme, Recruitment Manager Chloe Tarrant-Stantion adds “As a Recruitment Account Manager, launching the KCES Work Experience Program was incredibly important as this year our industry has seen unemployment rise at an unprecedented rate. It has been great to be able to provide an opportunity to our community that could enable them to: strengthen their skills during a period of unemployment, sample what working in a different industry is like, and most importantly receive a competitive income. KCES approach to direct recruitment for the estate roles with us at KXR has always been diverse, fair and genuine, and having a work experience program can only enable us to build on this.”
As a result of the unforeseeable events in March, Carl applied for this programme and was put forward for an interview with the KCES environmental services team (JPC Cleaning) for which he was successful.
However, before the programme started an opportunity arose within this very team for a temporary Resident Liaison role for a new residential building that was opening in December on the development. KXR liaised with KCES (JPC Cleaning) to discuss if this role would be suitable for Carl and it was agreed that he would be an ideal candidate, he was interviewed and successful.
Carl was delighted with the outcome and during his employment, he had weekly 1-2-1 catch-ups with our Recruitment Manager to check all was going well and to look ahead to the future.
After starting his role as a Resident Liaison at King’s Cross, Carl sheds light on his relationship with KCES (JPC cleaning);
“My relationship with KCES (JPC cleaning) is good, we work as one family. The supervisors and workers are always there for me. I’ve only been working with them for the past few months, but it feels like we’ve been working together for years. We work as a team and have a relationship that can grow from strength to strength.”
Carl goes on to mention what he enjoys most about his role: “I really enjoy meeting new people, they’re so friendly. When I decided to move to the UK people would tell me stories about how unfriendly people can be but that is not true. Sometimes you have to find out the truth for yourself.”
Verbalising his overall experience with KX Recruit Carl says “The first time that I met you guys the customer service was so good – it impressed me. That was one of the main reasons I wanted to work with KX Recruit, whenever I came there, I got a warm welcome. I felt happy and comfortable. I would recommend your service to others, you’ve been helpful.”
“Chloe, the Recruitment Manager in charge of my role always went out of her way to help. She always tried to get in touch with me even when she was working remotely. She’d ask how I was getting on and check up on me. Most recruiters stop checking in once you’ve started the job, but Chloe always checked in. That showed me that KXR really cared about me and my wellbeing.”
Carl’s final words give us a glance into his employment hopes for the future having recently taken his SIA exam he says “I would like to get a full–time position with KCES (JPC cleaning), and maybe on my days off I could work as a security officer to support myself a little better whilst things and times are changing, and the cost-of-living increases. However, I want to work with KCES (JPC cleaning) full-time because I enjoy the work, I enjoy the atmosphere, I enjoy working with the staff and they make me happy. They elevate and motivate me”
Concluding our case study, Chloe Tarrant-Stanton explains how work experience programmes can have a positive impact on our local community “Long term unemployment/youth unemployment/low skills or qualifications affects a sizeable portion of our candidates and how successful they are with their job applications. A robust program such as this can give people that priceless experience employers require. Such as being accountable, punctual, and how to conduct themselves within the workplace. It can give our long-term unemployed candidates a chance to refresh their skills or fill that gap they just can’t shift on their CV and most importantly, it can provide low-skilled/qualified candidates a chance to gain brand new skills! I personally believe, when a work experience programme is managed and coordinated efficiently, it can have an incredibly positive impact on an individual and in turn our local community.”
If you are an employer interested in advertising a role reach out to us here or by emailing [email protected] and our seasoned recruitment managers will be happy to help. Alternatively, if you are a candidate you can apply for our current vacancies here.
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