Michael and the team in Legal Services at Hertfordshire County Council recently gave a work experience opportunity to Step2Skills participant, Jack.
Work tasters are a valuable part in the process of helping people with a barrier into paid work; giving the participant an experience of something they think they might like to do, helping us to see how they get on and for the participant to gain feedback from an employer.
Jack's CV listed financial, audit, and research skills and qualifications and it was for this reason that Michael felt he could benefit from a work taster within Legal Services.
In Michael's words; 'The biggest lesson I have learned from this experience is, we can do lots of work to assist in preparing candidates for the workplace. However, the real work is preparing the employer in how to spot the hidden talent. A work taster offers a candidate the opportunity to show a potential employer their skill set as opposed to simply narrating it. A little additional time spent up front saves time and money in the future, not to mention employing candidates who are qualified, enthusiastic and committed/dedicated.
This is exactly where Step2Skills come in, educating employers, and walking them through the journey. The key is time. You get far more back than you put in so investing time up front is essential. I would say that Step2Skills is not a recommendation but a necessity. Interviewing skills need to be more diverse and more time spent on preparing a suitable setting that can be adapted for different individuals.'