A former window and door fabricator who was made redundant has secured a dream role after getting Welsh Government career support and funding for training.
Getting back on track
Brian, 47, from Wrexham, was unemployed for just under a year before he came across an advert for the ReAct+ programme. ReAct+ offers those who are out of work or under formal notice of redundancy personalised support tailored to their individual needs.
“Not being able to work knocked my confidence to the point that I had no get-up and go and I just wasn’t myself”.
After coming across the ReAct+ programme on social media, Brian made the first step to getting himself back on track. He met with an adviser at Working Wales, a careers advice service for adults.
Getting support for training
After an initial discussion with his adviser, Brian realised that his ambition of going back into trade and becoming a TIG welder was not as impossible as he first thought.
Through the ReAct+ programme, Brian received £1,500 worth of funding towards getting a City and Guilds Level 3 Welding qualification. Brian also got CV advice to put him in the best position when applying for his dream role in TIG welding.
“Having the qualification under my belt and knowing I had a strong CV gave me the confidence to approach multiple employers and apply for different jobs in person”.
Finding employment
Brian has now been in his role as Welder at Range Fabrication for 4 months and says he is the happiest he has been in his career.
“If I had one piece of advice it would be don’t give up and believe in yourself and your abilities. I was worried that an employer would think less of me or be reluctant to employ me due to my injury but it’s important not to let an injury or health condition impact your confidence.
For those who have a health condition, programmes like ReAct+ are there to offer tailored support for your specific needs and give you the chance to change your life for the better."
“You have to believe in yourself, and I’m proof that with the extra training, support, and funding, you can get back to your old self and do a job you love”.
Explore
Find out about the redundancy support available to you in Wales. Get help with how to move on from redundancy with confidence.
ReAct+ offers tailored solutions which includes financial support for vocational skills training and training-related expenses to help remove barriers to employment.
See how real people around Wales have changed their story.
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