Graduate Success in Difficult Jobs Market
University graduate Joanne Emery was looking forward to embarking on her career after completing her degree in 2009, but her hopes soon turned to despair as the economic climate meant her job applications went unanswered.
After signing on for 10 months Joanne heard about a vacancy for an administrator through the Future Jobs Fund, a government scheme designed to give young people vital work experience.
She applied for the position and hasn’t looked back since.
Joanne said: “After working so hard at university it was very disheartening to not be able to get a job out of it.
“I had never heard of the Future Jobs Fund before, but saw a vacancy advertised at City of Wolverhampton College, who explained that the programme was about helping people find work by doing a six month placement in a working environment to enhance their CVs.
“I applied for the job at the Beacon Centre for the Blind and was so stunned to be told I had got it.
“Since then, I have been taken on permanently at the Beacon Centre, and been promoted to a Junior PA position working for the CEO. There are so many opportunities that have come up since working for the centre, my confidence has come on leaps and bounds, and I’m very happy where I am. So without the help of the Future Jobs Fund, I wouldn’t have been granted any of these fantastic opportunities. I’m very grateful to have been given a chance to prove that I can get a job, even under difficult circumstances that are beyond my control.”
