Cheryl lights up her CV with TOPs placement

Cheryl Breen once lacked the confidence to find work – now she is hoping to be a leading light.

Cheryl, from Johnstone, had been unemployed for over a year, when she came across Invest’s Youth Employability Service. Just months after registering, she secured a placement with Renfrewshire Council.

Cheryl tried the Steps to Excellence course, – a developmental programme designed to build self confidence and self-esteem – and worked with her adviser, Melissa, on a variety of ways to find her a job.

Cheryl said: “Melissa helped me improve my CV, worked with me on my interview skills and supported me through my application to college. She did everything she could to help me find work.”

The hard work paid off, and in November last year, just three months after her initial registration, Cheryl was offered a TOPs placement at Renfrewshire Council – which provides up to six months of practical work experience and the chance to gain qualifications and references.

Cheryl is placed within the Community Resources department, and is working towards a SVQ 2 in Business Administration. The placement involves dealing with the lighting for the local area, plotting lamps and lights and collecting data.

She has now been accepted to a digital media course at City of Glasgow and credits the placement with helping her get in.

She said: “The placement, the Steps to Excellence course, and working with Melissa have all built my confidence and supported me back into the workplace.

Using different technology and programmes as part of my placement has helped me gain the knowledge I’ll need in college, and the fact I’m in employment looks better on my CV, rather than a blank space. Now I look forward to going to work, rather than dread it!

“I recommend the Youth Hub to any young person looking for work – you’ll be amazed at how far you’ll come in a short time.”

TOPS is supported through the Employment Fund, a national training programme administered by Skills Development Scotland for both young people aged 16-24 and adults aged 25+. For more information, see here.