This is a real case study but anonymised to protect identities of the Adviser, their organisation and the client
Reference from the Adviser - Please state briefly your reasons for sponsoring this application:
R has worked very hard to cope with his initial phobias which have impacted on his life to date. He missed out his 4th year at school which left him with no exam results. His phobias resulted in him being confined to his home where he was very isolated. However, R is now at the point where he can interact in group settings, leave his home and is working very hard to improve his life.
It was at this point he initially made contact with (our service) to speak to a Careers Adviser to start to formulate a career plan. R had no real frame of reference relating to his skills, qualities and had no idea what type of career areas would be suitable.
At this point it was suggested that R complete MAPS. He was happy to do this as he felt it would help him learn more about himself.
R has progressed a great deal, moving on to complete a work step programme, is now looking for part time work and intends to study a computing course at a local college as well as part time study with the Open University.
This is a real case study but anonymised to protect identities of the Adviser, their organisation and the client
Reference from the Adviser - Please state briefly your reasons for sponsoring this application:
I feel A has benefited greatly from completing the MAPS3 Personal Styles Indicator. Over the past 6 months he has turned his life around from being unemployed to presently engaged in training. Having restored his confidence he has secured employment with a local coach building company, The Wright Group, Ballymena as an Apprentice Mechanical Engineer.
From talking to A, he had never seriously considered engineering until it was listed in his MAPS report.
The Bursary would enable him to fund a Higher Education course, a route he eventually hopes to take.
I have no hesitation in recommending A for this award.
This is a real case study but anonymised to protect identities of the Adviser, their organisation and the client
Reference from the Adviser - Please state briefly your reasons for sponsoring this application:
I met L (aged 18) during a Post Results 'A' Level Interview in the office. She achieved 'B' and 'C' in her Double Award Health & Social Care Vocational A level and did not get her repeat GCSE Maths at grade 'C' (achieved grade 'D') . Unfortunately she did not meet the criteria for entry into Nursing in NI and was not interested in training outside of NI. She was feeling very unsure about what she could do and what other caring jobs she could consider. She had also started a course at a local college but left shortly afterwards, mainly due to lack of confidence and the transition from her local school to a big college. I feel L benefited greatly from completing the MAPS3 Personal Styles Indicator. She saw herself in most of the 'Adult Behaviours' and agreed with the 'Pitfalls'. From reading her 'Learning Style' she understood why she found moving to college difficult, points she is now aware off.
After her recent experiences, L has decided to spend this year completing Essential Skills, Application of Number Level 2 and building up valuable work experience. Next year she hopes to enter a full-time caring related course which may keep her options open again for Nursing. I have no hesitation in recommending her for this bursary.
From prison to plumbing
When Bill Davies from JCA introduced the winners of the MAPS3 Bursary Awards at the Blackpool Conference this year, was I the only person who felt moved by the stories that were unveiled to us?
At a time when careers professionals are being pulled and pushed, courted and criticised, sucked into an ever-politicised working arena, what a breath of fresh air to witness the right technology and quality career guidance converging to effectively change young people's lives, for the good.
Nick Baker, young father of a 2 year old son, was imprisoned for 6 years in a Japanese prison. This time was spent in solitary confinement, years to think about his life, the mistakes he had made and the years of fatherhood squandered away.
I think we would all agree that these circumstances would be too much to bear for most of us. This is where the story changes for the better; rather than curl up and accept that his live would be forever 'broken', Nick started to change his life around.
The catalyst of this transformation? A combination of dedicated and sensitive career guidance alongside a software product called MAPS3.
Working Links provided the platform for Nick to begin replanning his life - they introduced him to MAPS3 and worked with him to plan a career pathway.
This story seems to be well on the way to a happy ending - Nick has been accepted on a plumbing course and has secured a part-time job. He is starting to rebuild his relationship with his son and now sees hope and a future where before there was only despair.
As Nick says, "The help I have been given has changed my attitude to myself and my ability..I am very grateful.."
Nick may be just one of the lucky ones, but I like to think that he is one of many positive stories that are out there which clearly demonstrate career guidance excellence, in practice.
If you have similar life-changing case studies, I would love to hear from you, please email Nick Newman on nick@careersinfo.co.uk
