Ian Whitehead

Ian Whitehead

After being unemployed for a total of 14 months, Ian began thinking about finding a job in the Care Industry (something he had wanted to do for a while). However having various disabilities, and no experience in the industry, he felt there were too many barriers to entering this industry.

Ian discussed his aspiration with his Work Coach, who referred him to our Level 2 Health & Social Care Course (AEB funded). After taking part in, and passing, this course, Ian gained his Level 2 Principles of Care Planning, and obtained interviews with two separate care businesses.

In the end, he was offered both jobs! After deciding on his favourite, which is the Hesley Group based in Low Laithes Barnsley, he is now hoping to stay working for this company and progress to Level 3. He said that the course not only helped him obtain this job but also massively helped his general confidence.

Great work Ian!

John Hey

John came to us as an experienced driver with a lot of practical skills, but with severe dyslexia. During his childhood, he was educated in a special needs school and…

Luke Abbott

Luke had been unemployed for over a year and was feeling mentally drained from all of the knock-backs he was receiving. He felt as if he would never work again.…

Lee Taylor

Lee was struggling to find work through agencies and felt he wasn’t making the progress he wanted. He also found that his experiences were putting him off applying altogether. He…

Solomon Gordon

Solomon came to the Portland Academy team from Nacro in Sheffield, who support offenders moving back into employment. He had struggled to find work and gain education/training due to his…

Steve Hodson

After being unemployed for a long time, Steve was worried he would never work again. He then heard about our Warehouse course through a job centre and decided to give…

Scott Fletcher

Scott had provided long term care for a parent and found himself unemployed for 5 years. He also felt that his reliance on public transport had limited his opportunities. Scott…

Carol Forbes

Carol took part in our Warehouse Course. She had been unemployed for 5 years – applying for jobs, and even taking part in training, but nothing came of it all.…

Rob Hatfield

Rob took part in our Warehousing Course. He had been long term unemployed, following an injury, and found that being out of work for a long period of time meant…

Leanne Dyson

Finding out about us from her Job Centre work coach, Leanne enquired about our Care Courses. She had been unemployed for a long period of time and found it made…

Kim Moates

Kim discovered our Care course when attending a Job fair in Barnsley. She had been unemployed for around two and a half years and found that she struggled. She had…

Jackie Rapson

Jackie had been struggling with multiple years of unemployment, low confidence and self-esteem, and even depression. However, in the past, she had worked in the Care Industry, and so was…

Debbie Billam

Debbie had been unemployed for eight years when she joined our programme. She described her self-esteem as very low, with no motivation to even leave the house, let alone look…