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."