Member Article

A "fare" result for jobless Lynn

A partnership between a Merseyside taxi business and Ingeus, which delivers the government’s Work Programme throughout the region, has just notched up another job success. Lynn Woods, from Old Swan, is now the seventh former Work Programme candidate to be employed by Acorn Cars and, according to the firm, the success of the scheme means there will be more opportunities in the pipeline.

For 46-year-old Lynn, her new role as a taxi marshal brings to an end almost two years of hunting for a job. During this time she applied for vacancies relentlessly, but she quickly discovered that finding employment was hard work in itself.

“I have been unemployed before and each time it’s tougher to get back on your feet,” she said. “That’s why I was delighted when I was referred to Ingeus – it was a new direction for me and it gave me hope that I would get the support I really needed.”

Ingeus helped Lynn create a CV that listed all the customer service skills she had amassed previously from her work in a busy café, and then supported her as she wrote application letters for jobs that would make best use of her experience. She also learned how to impress in interviews and she was encouraged to search for roles she thought she would enjoy. Her confidence grew as a result.

“Ingeus helped me believe in myself and my new job is just perfect – it involves talking to customers in our Kirkby office, keeping them informed of when their taxi has arrived and escorting them to the right cab. Across the whole of the country very few cab firms employ taxi marshals, but our customers value this personal service and I really enjoy offering it,” said Lynn.

“We’ve been really pleased with the Work Programme and how it has been effective for us,” said Acorn’s operations manager Liam Sweeney. “We formed a relationship with Ingeus some time ago, and it now means that seven people who were previously unemployed have got jobs. They have all fitted in really well, and this gives is the confidence to work with Ingeus again when we need more staff.”

Ingeus partners with a wide range of employers throughout the region to understand their recruitment needs. When vacancies arise they can offer candidates with the right blend of experience. Employer Partnership Coordinator Tracey Parkinson said: “Employers with vacancies are often inundated with applications and so finding the right person can be daunting. Ingeus takes the hard work out of the process by comparing the skills and experiences of our clients with the specific requirements of each job.”

Ingeus’s Work Programme services are free of charge, meaning employers can spend more of their valuable time running their businesses.

“Lynn is yet another example of how the system works really well, for employers and for jobseekers alike,” added Tracey. “We are delighted for her and pleased to have been of service again to Acorn Cars.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ingeus .