Jobseekers case studies

When we first met Chris, he had previously worked at the airport ten years ago but had been out of employment due to anxiety and autism. During this time, he received Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Chris is an aspiring artist with an agent representing him, and he wanted to find a part‑time or short‑term job to help him buy the art supplies he needed to pursue his dream of becoming a self‑employed artist.

Chris felt anxious about travelling on public transport and lacked confidence. He didn’t have an up‑to‑date CV and was unsure how to apply for jobs. He was also worried about how to tell potential employers about his autism and anxiety after some difficult experiences in the past. We supported him in overcoming these barriers one step at a time.

We helped Chris with job searching, and through exploring different roles, he gained a better understanding of current employer expectations and how his skills and abilities were relevant. We signposted him to our interview workshops to help refresh his skills and build confidence. We also supported him with an Access to Work application for travel assistance and helped him submit applications for suitable vacancies.

With our support, Chris interviewed for three jobs in total. Although he wasn’t successful in the first two, he received very positive feedback, and the experience boosted his confidence. He began to believe that employment was possible for him. He then identified a local job that felt like a good match and applied online. Once he was invited to interview, we contacted the employer to complete a job analysis and discuss any reasonable adjustments Chris might need. The employer was very understanding, and we agreed that the role suited Chris well, requiring little to no adjustment.

After a successful interview, Chris secured the job and passed his probation period. We continued to provide in‑work support, offering guidance on topics such as overtime and working hours so he felt confident communicating with his manager.

With this role, Chris is now able to purchase the art materials he needs to create his work. He has produced several new pieces, including artwork designed to stimulate the senses of people who are visually impaired. He has also been referred to our partner organisation for additional support with self‑employment.

When Leo* was released after serving his sentence, he wasn’t quite sure how to start a new life. He received immediate support from Solihull Integrated Addiction Services (SIAS) and our team. 

We supported Leo to rebuild his confidence. We talked about his career aspirations to create an action plan. He shared that he had expired construction certificates. He would like to update the certifications and return to the job that he loved, window installation.

We looked into local support schemes that he can access. We supported Leo to gain his CSCS card and IPAF certificates which are qualifications required to return to his role. To help him feel confident, we managed to get him some food vouchers and a haircut for a brand-new look, ready for him to start a new life.

Leo got in touch with a local window installation company to explore the opportunity to work with them. With his experience, he is now working as a self-employed window installation expert which the company would subcontract him jobs. He works locally and occasionally travels to other cities for work. Sometimes he works in a team and he has integrated very well into the community, loving every day.

He sent us a message that says, “I’m glad I had the support and help. Thank you.”

* To protect the anonymity of the individual we support, his name has been altered.

Last year, we worked with Taylor Woodrow to organise engagement activities for residents to explore working in the construction industry. Following a series of STEM activities and a site visit, the collaboration has led to a paid work experience placement and a permanent role for Eathen. 

When we first met Eathen, he left college and struggled with Autism and anxiety. He had some brief work but was looking for something he could develop. We supported him to build his confidence and skills. When he heard about the site visit with Taylor Woodrow, he was very excited and was hoping to make the most of it. He was very engaged throughout the activities. 

Taylor Woodrow’s team were very impressed with the enthusiasm of our residents that they decided to offer 4-week paid work experience to those who could pass their CSCS card training. Eather was one of the three people who managed to obtain a CSCS card. He took up the work experience opportunity and received excellent feedback. He was offered a permanent contract with Taylor Woodrow in October. 

Eathen said: “I am feeling so much more positive now about my future, I am so thankful to everyone here and at Solihull Council for giving me this opportunity and believing in me. It was no fun just sat at home, and I am much happier now.” 

Matt Penikett, Senior Public Liaison and Social Value Coordinator – Civils North and Midlands of Taylor Woodrow said: “Our partnership with Solihull Council’s Employment and Skills Team has strengthened significantly through shared commitment and proactive collaboration. Working very closely with the team, we’ve delivered STEM sessions to vulnerable residents, helping them explore a wide range of opportunities in construction. We’re proud that this has led to three young people gaining paid employment on our Sprint Phase 2 works in Birmingham and Solihull. Through Match My Project and with the support of the Council’s Procurement Team, we’ve also been able to connect with local charities and schools, assisting with painting, litter picking, donations and using our volunteer days to give back to the communities we’re working in. A warm thank you to Solihull Council for their continued support and enthusiasm.”

If you are looking for employment support, please contact our team with 0121 704 6869 or employmentteam@solihull.gov.uk.

Conor wanted to work in the Construction industry but found it difficult to start a career without the qualifications and experience. 

He signed up for Youth Trailblazer programme where our team worked with him to understand his aspirations and skills. We arranged training for him to build a range of employability skills. We matched him with Birmingham Solihull Construction and Training Centre for 3 weeks of unpaid work experience. 

During the placement, he supported setting up classrooms or workshops areas and stockkeeping of health and safety equipment. He proactively contributed at meetings and communicated with suppliers. He has benefitted by learning and gaining a range of employability skills such as communication skills, organisational skills. His confidence has grown tremendously. He enjoyed working as a team or independently.

Following the placement, Conor gained Level 1 certificates in various areas in the industry. He has been successfully qualified for his Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS card). He has now gone onto further education with a placement in Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery, taking a huge step to start a career in Construction.

If you live in Solihull, aged 18-21, out of work and school, find out more about the programme.

Abi was looking for a new job after deciding that she needed a change in her career path. As a care-experienced young person, she shared that with her Personal Adviser who referred her to the Youth Trailblazer programme. 

Abi said: “I didn’t have much work experience, so finding a job was quite difficult. The Employment and Skills Team made everything really easy and smooth. They prepared me for the job interview, which definitely helped with my confidence.”

She is now working as a hotel receptionist at the Barn Hotel, part of the Barn at Berryfields’ new venture which opened in August. She added: “I feel at ease here and really fit in. I really enjoy meeting guests from different cities or countries and just getting to know them. There’s something new every day. I just love it here!”

The Barn at Berryfields, a family-run business for four generations, saw the programme as a fresh way to recruit and develop talent. Ruth Truslove, Hotel and Restaurant Manager, said: “Abi was confident at the interview and showed great interest in what we do. She’s been doing brilliantly in her role.”

Director Tom Barber added: “The funding from the Youth Trailblazer programme is great, especially in the current climate. The Council’s support has been fantastic. For SMEs like us, it’s a great opportunity to train someone over 12 weeks and see them grow while existing employees get to develop through mentoring. Abi has embraced our culture and is eager to learn. Abi’s going to become our permanent staff after completing the 12-week placement. Young people just need the opportunity to work and build their skill

If you are a Solihull resident aged 18-21 looking for work experience, find out more about Youth Trailblazer on this webpage.

Mabel joined our programme in search of support to find employment after having relocated to the UK. 

Mabel initially wanted to work as a teaching assistant or a lunchtime supervisor that could fit her schedule to take care of her daughter. She had experience in her husband’s home kitchen business.

Although it took many job applications, Mabel didn’t lose hope and maintained a positive attitude. We worked with Mabel to explore wider catering roles outside of schools. Mabel was offered an interview in February 2025 as a Breakfast Chef at Arden Hotel. We arranged mock interviews to help her develop her confidence working in the UK. 

Mabel was successful this time and she began working in May 2025. The job gave her the flexibility to manage her personal life. The staff welcomed and supported her through the process. 

Mabel sent us a message, thrilled and thankful for our support:

“I started running a small home kitchen business in August 2024, alongside looking for part-time work. Linda supported me the whole time. Starting a small business is exciting but not always stable in the beginning, so I knew I needed to find a flexible part-time job. I’m really grateful that everything has come together. Working as a Breakfast Chef fits perfectly around my schedule, including time to run my business at home. I truly thank God for leading me to Linda. Linda was always there, checking in and encouraging me to keep going. I’m very thankful for her.”

If you are looking for employment support, please contact our team with 0121 704 6869 or employmentteam@solihull.gov.uk.

We started working with Rhys last year. He was keen to work in retail or hospitality. He also liked the idea of apprenticeships but he would want to improve his maths to be better prepared. We referred him to the free maths training at our centre to improve his numeracy skills.

In October, Rhys felt ready for work so we looked at vacancies in hospitality. He was particularly interested in a catering role with the NEC Group and we worked together on the job application. As we had worked with the employer previously, we emailed their recruitment team to highlight Rhys’s application. 

Rhys was invited to an interview. He was excited and nervous. We supported him with mock interviews to improve his skills. He was offered the role and started in November. He was really happy when he got the offer and excited to start a busy job where he could meet new people and earn some money.

Rhys sent a message to our adviser Linda. It says: “At first, I was a little worried that I wasn’t going to be able to find any work or gain any experience. As I kept going into every appointment, I felt that worry faded away and I was getting closer to my goal of getting a job. Eventually, I got it. I’m working for the NEC Group and it was all because of the help from Linda. She helped me through the whole process and explained everything I was unsure of. It didn’t feel like I was going to a boring appointment. It felt as if I was going to a friend who was offering a helping hand. I had a great time and I am forever grateful that Linda helped me get a start into adult life. I will never forget the help I received.”

If you are out of work and living in Solihull, please get in touch with our team and let us support you. Contact our team with 0121 704 6869 or employmentteam@solihull.gov.uk.

After achieving a first-class degree, Luke had applied for graduate jobs. He was frustrated with the lack of responses from the employers. He felt that Autism had been a barrier to getting an interview.

Luke sought our support early this year. We felt that he had a lot of potential and we were impressed by his commitment and enthusiasm for starting a career in admin. We helped him update his CV with a more positive tone. We also gave him advice for online job applications where CVs are not accepted. Luke also enhanced his skills for interviews with our advice for preparation.

To enhance Luke’s chances of getting a job, we introduced him to recruitment agencies specialising in temporary jobs in various fields including admin through our connections. This led to Luke securing his first job interview after leaving university.

Within weeks, Luke secured a temporary admin role. He was over the moon and sent us this message:

“I sought out the Employment and Skills Team as I had been struggling for a while to find employment after graduation. Syed was very helpful in developing my CV, application, and interview skills. In addition, he suggested jobs that I could apply for and shared contacts that would help with my job hunt. Once he connected me personally to a recruitment agency, I was well equipped to land a role within weeks – surprisingly at my former university! This would not have been possible without the support of Syed throughout.”

The employer has been very impressed by Luke’s performance and he has now been offered a long-term contract role with them. It has been a pleasure for us to be part of Luke’s journey of finding a role that he enjoys.

Sometimes, you may just need a little bit of support and connection to land your dream job.

If you are looking for employment support, please contact our team with 0121 704 6869 or employmentteam@solihull.gov.uk.

Young people with additional needs are gaining work experience across the council through Supported Internships. This structured programme aims to equip young people aged 16-24 with Education, Health and Care plans (EHCP) with the skills they need to secure paid work through learning in the workplace and classroom-based training.  

Nathan is one of the interns who have been gaining work experience at a storage unit with the adult social care directorate. A dedicated skills coach from Mencap has been supporting Nathan and the team throughout the process. The placement has given him valuable work experience that includes building equipment for residents who need it to make their day-to-day lives easier.  

Nathan said: “Unlike my previous work experience, this placement really feels like a proper job. I was quite shy at first, but I have become more confident as the team have been very supportive. They let me get on with things and if I struggle with something, I know that I can always ask them for help. It feels really nice to have their trust and support.” 

Andy Cartwright and Will Konadu work closely with the interns. Andy shared: “We get really busy sometimes, so it is great having them as extra support. It is great to see that they are coming out of their shells and learning valuable skills for their future careers.” 

Nathan added: “I feel more ready and confident for work now. This placement will make my CV more impressive, which will hopefully help me find a similar job in the future.” 

Gary Devlin, Solihull Council’s Community Equipment Services Manager, offered placements to the interns. He said: “This programme has helped us to support more residents. As the inventory builds up, the interns have been a great help for us. I remember one day when both Andy and Will weren’t around, the interns ran the place just like any other day. It proves how their skills have developed.” 

After completing the programme, Nathan continued to get our support for job search. He recently shared some exciting news with us - he has got his first paid job offer!

Supported internships commence every September. If you would like to refer a young person who might be interested in becoming a supported intern, please contact John O’Sullivan with john.osullivan@solihull.gov.uk. 

Vicki is celebrating securing her first permanent job role. She has been providing admin support at the Council since September 2023. The role was made possible thanks to the Council’s initiative of supporting adults with learning disabilities into paid employment, which is also available for local employers.

Although she had volunteered before, this is Vicki’s first paid job. She shared: “I love my job! I really enjoy working with the team and making friends here. Having this job is like my dreams have come true. It feels good to be more independent. I hope my mum is proud of me.”

This role has enabled Vicki to develop skills for work, as well as skills for personal life. She makes day to day choices and experience having control of her life.

Michele Nolan, Supported Living Lead at Social Life Opportunities (SOLO), has been supporting Vicki. She shared: “Vicki has felt more included and valued in the community. She has become a huge role-model in our supported living and day centres. Vicki has inspired others and proved that anything is possible by seizing an opportunity and getting the right support. Her confidence has grown. This has impacted on her self-esteem and wellbeing. She is planning a trip to the theatre next year, with her own salary!”

Vicki’s manager is Richard Tapson, Governance Lead for Economic & Infrastructure Directorate. When the vacancy of admin assistant came up, Richard discussed with the Director who both felt that it would be a great opportunity to recruit inclusively, as this could support someone into work and promote workplace inclusion.

Richard shared, “Vicki has received wraparound support including IT training, independent travelling and personal organisation. All these helped and she settled in quickly. She completes her tasks efficiently and brings joy to the team.”

Sue Popplewell, Leadership Support Officer, expanded her job scope by becoming Vicki’s mentor. Sue added, “Vicki always brightens up the office with her smile. It is great to see her confidence and independence grow as she develops her skills.”

If you are an employer and would like to get support for inclusive recruitment, please contact our team on 0121 704 6869 or employerengagementteam@solihull.gov.uk.

Reece had been unemployed before Covid. Although he was very motivated to find work, he struggled with interviews. Reece has a learning disability and his confidence had dropped significantly after some negative experiences at interviews.

Our team first met Reece in May 2022. It was evident that he would be fit for a non-clerical role with a supportive and patient employer. We identified that Arden Hotel would be a potential employer as they had already employed other residents with learning disabilities through us. They had been impressed with their performance.

We checked with Arden Hotel for vacancies available and introduced Reece. We accompanied him to a practical work trial after which he was immediately offered full time employment. He has quickly become a valued member of the team.

Our Supported Employer Engagement Officer Sarah Wilson commented: “It is always an absolute pleasure to work with supportive employers like Arden Hotel. It has led to employment for several residents. For some, finding employment has been life changing. They have found not only a supportive employer, but also a positive and nurturing work environment. It has been an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and achieve personal goals. There is no doubt that Arden Hotel has been instrumental in creating opportunities for our residents.”

Reece shared that he was proud to work for Arden Hotel. He felt happier in work than before. This opportunity has positive impacts on his life that enables him to make new friends and be able to help others. He was happy with his new-found financial independence and confidence.

Arden Hotel’s Manager Roy Nash shared: “The reason I fell in love with hospitality is that you have so many individuals with different stories and journeys to tell. You don’t need a degree or qualification to succeed. You just need to be passionate about the work that you do and working as part of a team. It’s great to see Reece achieving both, excelling in his work and being a key part of the team. We pride ourselves in providing opportunities for individuals to shine and show their talents. We ensure our training reflects each individual’s learning style. Sarah and the team at Solihull Council are fantastic support in helping us and our team members in accomplishing just that.”

Reece has worked at Arden Hotel since May 2022. He has been recognised in a Head of Departments’ meeting for his work ethic and willingness to help other departments. We continue to check with him and offer in-work support including free training to help him further develop his skills.

If you are out of work and looking for employment support, please contact our team with 0121 704 6869 or employmentteam@solihull.gov.uk.

If you are an employer and would like to get support for hiring more inclusively, you can also reach our team on 0121 704 6869 or employerengagementteam@solihull.gov.uk.

Louise is a local resident who was referred to our Employment and Skills Team in December 2022 by our partner.

Louise had only recently finished her last job and was looking for roles in Front of House as this was the area she was most experienced in. To get her better prepared for work again, Louise enrolled a 12-week course with Prince’s Trust which she completed a week of work experience at our training centre in Chelmsley Wood in March 2023.

Louise impressed our team with her attitude, willingness to help and professionalism during the week. We felt that she was ready for her next job, so we looked into our database of local employers with suitable roles. We found that one of the local employers we have worked with, Arden Hotel had a vacancy for Front of House. We introduced Louise to the Hotel Manager and she was invited to the hotel the next day for a work trial.

With her professionalism, she was offered a full time role as soon as she completed the work trial. Louise joined the team in March 2023 and settled into her role very quickly.

When asked about how she felt being back in full time employment, Louise commented:  “I am happy to have a routine back and working away from my local area. With my role, I get to meet people from all walks of life including those from overseas and staying at the hotel. I really enjoy having a purpose back. The hotel staff have welcomed and supported me since the first day that we worked together. Life is definitely better now both financially and emotionally. I really enjoy working here.”

Roy Nash, Hotel Manager commented: “It is a pleasure to see how well Louise is currently doing in the reception team. Louise has taken the role like a duck to water. I look forward to supporting Louise with her journey in hospitality.”

Our support did not just stop after she landed the role. We check in with her and her employer regularly and recommend free training opportunities that would be great for her personal development. We are so proud to learn that she has just been awarded “Employee of the Season” at Arden Hotel. It is our pleasure to support Louise to achieve her potential with a role that she clearly loves. We look forward to many more achievements to come!

If you are out of work and looking for employment support, please contact our team with 0121 704 6869 or employmentteam@solihull.gov.uk.

Jakub was referred to our Employment and Skills Team in August 2023 because he wanted to find full-time work.

During our first meeting, Jakub shared with us his previous work experience and his career aspirations. His adviser established that he enjoyed working in a team. To better Jakub’s chances of securing a full-time job, we recommended various training opportunities, including our Digital Hub and employability training sessions.

Jakub was prepared to consider a variety of roles within different industry sectors.  We worked with him to prepare a CV and searched for suitable local job vacancies.

Jakub was keen to apply for the roles we had informed him about.   He was invited for an interview with Veolia and we helped him to prepare for the interview.  

Despite stiff competition, Jakub was offered a role with the street cleaning team at Veolia. He was so happy that he sent us a message to thank us. “Just wanted to say thank you for helping me get the job. My team are very welcoming and supportive!” He was grateful that he could find work locally and contribute to his community.

Jakub’s supervisor, Lewis shared: “Jakub has settled into life at Veolia very well. He has shown an outstanding work ethic and understanding of his role. He works brilliantly in a team and has an incredible enthusiasm towards learning and accepting new challenges. We look forward to seeing his progression at Veolia.”

We are so proud of what Jakub has achieved and know that he has become a valuable team member for Veolia.

If you are out of work and looking for employment support, please contact us with  0121 704 6869 or email employmentteam@solihull.gov.uk.

Jakub’s story shows how with our support, employers can connect with the local community to fulfil their recruitment needs.  If you are a local employer who would like to learn about the recruitment support on offer, please email our Employer Engagement Team  employerengagementteam@solihull.gov.uk.

After completing his Supported Internship, Salmaan was interested in getting more experience in the workplace while looking for long-term employment.

With a system migration project underway, our Employment and Skills Team needed extra help for the administrative work. This would be a good opportunity for Salmaan to get more practical work experience and solidify the new skills he had learnt from the internship. To help him with this transition, we assigned a job coach to assess his needs and whether adjustments would be needed. The team only had to ensure that the office building is accessible and that a mentor would be in for the Salmaan’s working day.

Salmaan joined the team in April for work experience. He enjoyed his work and conversation with his teammates. He found everyone helpful and supportive. He shared: “Getting to the office is already an achievement for me, and becoming more independent at work is another achievement that I had never even imagined!”

His manager recalled that Salmaan was quite shy at first but came out of his shell gradually. He shared: “Making adjustments for team members with additional needs is just about learning and adapting. Salmaan always brightens up the office with a big smile on his face. He is a loyal and valued member of our team. The team get to develop people and our team spirit has become stronger. It is a win-win for everyone!”

Salmaan has secured a paid role within the Council in February 2024.

If you are out of work and would like to learn about the support we can offer, please contact us on  0121 704 6869 or employmentteam@solihull.gov.uk.

If you are an employer and would like to get support for hiring more inclusively, you can also reach our team on 0121 704 6869 or employerengagementteam@solihull.gov.uk.

Joshua was referred by our partner to get advice and support for work from our team earlier this year. He had just completed a degree in Business Psychology and was not sure how and where he should start his job search. He wanted to use his skills and find a progression route to a successful career. He found his confidence often hampered by anxiety, which made job applications and interviews difficult.

We had regular one to one sessions with Joshua where we worked together to improve his CV and interviewing skills. He showed tremendous progress every session and became more relaxed with our mock interviews by taking time to process the information and answering effectively. To help boost his confidence and gain practical experience, he volunteered for admin roles.

Joshua has good IT skills. To help him get more all-rounded skills, he signed up for our Digital Hub where he attended weekly IT workshops. These sessions have helped boost his confidence and getting into a routine which will help his transition into work.

Our team introduced Joshua to employers hiring admin roles, including the Dodd group. Joshua was invited to attend an interview for the role of Administration Apprentice. This role would be a perfect starting point for him career path in admin and Joshua was excited.

Although he was nervous at the interview, he had got the skills from our training and had done his research well. The Dodd group were so impressed with his skills and preparation for the interview that they offered him the role. Joshua has settled into his role and the team are pleased with his progress.

Well done, Joshua!

If you are out of work and would like to learn about the support we can offer, please contact us on  0121 704 6869 or employmentteam@solihull.gov.uk.

Charles was referred to our Skills for Success programme by his school. During our first session, he was a bit shy and finding it socially difficult at school.

It was apparent that he did not have plans for the future with regards to what he wanted to study. It felt that he was going to pick a course that his family or school may recommend for him, rather than one that he would enjoy.

After a series of workshops and one-to-one support, we guided Charles to understand the variety of post-16 options and fields of study. With the information and advice, he had a clear idea and direction for planning his post-16 development. He had more motivation to work towards his dream when he was sitting for GCSE.

With his amazing GCSE results, Charles enrolled onto a course that he wanted to do. He is now attending college full-time studying Motor Mechanics, something that he is interested in. He is planning to build a future in that field.

We received an email from his mom thanking us for all of the support that we had offered and they would like to stay in contact. We are thrilled to know that he has clearer vision for his future now.

If you know any young person studying in the borough who can benefit from guidance and support for further study or employment, please email the team with skillsforsuccess@solihull.gov.uk.

When Lily joined our programme in April 2023, she was very shy and lacked confidence. She did not have any paid work experience and she wanted to find a job in retail. However, as our Support Officer, Linda got to know her, she discovered that Lily had an amazing understanding of computer programming as that had been her hobby for some time.

To help Lily get ready for work, Linda has enrolled Lily onto various training programmes and workshops which included work experience at a café. Her confidence was growing, so was her enthusiasm to find employment. We enhanced her CV with more emphasis on her extensive IT and programming skills. With her great GCSE results and IT knowledge, Linda advised Lily to expand her job search to apprenticeships as well.

When a Business Admin / IT apprenticeship with a local employer came up, Linda worked with Lily to complete the application online. Lily was able to use the interviewing skills she had learnt from our workshops. She was over the moon when she got the offer and began her apprenticeship in May 2024.

Lily said: “When I first joined the programme, I was timid and unable to maintain eye contact. I hardly asserted myself because I was never socially confident at the time. This programme helped me come out of my shell. I felt heard about my lifestyle and hobbies, and how that could be incorporated into my job search.

“I am now in a role that enables me to fully utilise my IT knowledge. I have met likeminded people at work, both apprentices and co-workers. I’m happy with how everything turned out. I think if you put your all into it and be patient, you can get to where you want to be.”

Linda said: “It has been great working with Lily who is open to suggestions and advice. Being passionate about what you do is the key for success. Don’t limit yourself and be open to different options. I have no doubt that this apprenticeship will help Lily build a very successful career in IT.”

If you want to find out more about the support offered by Solihull Council’s Employment and Skills Team, please contact the team with 0121 704 6869 or employmentteam@solihull.gov.uk.