Amin's Story

Amin had been out of work for six months when a leaflet advertising the new Youth Employment Skills (YES) service dropped through his letterbox.

Aside from some temporary work here and there, Amin had been struggling to find a full-time job:

"I'd been searching for a junior-level admin role, but was getting nowhere."

"I come from a family where I'm the youngest and I was the only one out of work. I was really starting to feel the pressure."

The leaflet, said Amin - who is originally from Afghanistan and moved to the UK when he was just seven - came at "just the right time - it was like it was meant to be", and encouraged him to sign up to YES online.

Amin concedes that he was initially apprehensive about taking part in the programme: "I didn't know what to expect," he said. "But I also thought it sounded really promising."

Any hesitation Amin had about the programme diminished when he met his Employment Adviser, Mark, who worked with him to search for jobs to suit his skills, create an impressive CV and practice a range of interview techniques:

"After months of unemployment and many unaccepted applications, breaking my low confidence was a huge obstacle."

"The programme provided a really helpful self-confidence course, as well as interview preparation and trials; the interview prep was amazing - I was able to answer questions with ease in my actual interviews because we'd gone into similar questions in so much detail beforehand. Being ready meant that I was relaxed and helped me stand out."

Whilst Amin was initially focused on entry-level administrative roles, the YES programme helped him to find the confidence to pursue his dream job in logistics with delivery giants DHL:

"I have secured myself an apprenticeship - which I've wanted to do since I was 16. It's in logistics, which I love! I'm over the moon!"

Amin credits the YES programme and his Employment Adviser for helping him to find employment:

"The apprenticeship is so beneficial and a huge opportunity for me; I'm in the best place I can be. I am now waking up every day knowing I am working in a field that I love, enjoy and find challenging.

"Without the guidance and support from Mark, I wouldn't be where I am today."