Robert Rimmer recently completed a Routeway to Employment Programme at St Helens Chamber and has secured employment with local employer Tuffnells as a Warehouse and Yard Maintenance Operative in their Haydock depot.
This programme includes a package of free short training courses, put together specifically for the roles available with local employers, to give candidates the exact skills and qualifications they need to be a success.
Robert explained: “My new job is working mainly on the manual physical side of warehousing. I have a support mentor who will help me with the job day to day, and there’s opportunities for me to learn and grow my responsibilities with using the high-volume freight scanning machine too.
St Helens Chamber works closely with local employers who have multiple vacancies to fill to create Routeway to Employment Programmes.
This particular course was focussed on developing candidates’ Warehousing skills, and gave attendees the chance to gain valuable qualifications and support such as:
• Level 2 Warehousing & Storage
• Level 1 Health & Safety
• Manual Handling
• CV Writing
• Interview Skills
• Functional Skills English & Maths (if required).
Robert completed the course and made the most of his guaranteed interview with Tuffnells, managing to secure one of the many roles on offer to attendees of the Routeway Programme.
Once employed, he found the shift pattern wasn’t quite suitable for his needs – but as he’d shown his commitment and hard work, Tuffnells were hugely supportive and more than happy to adapt the role to suit him.
Robert continued: “The night shifts at Tuffnells didn’t work for me but after some more discussions, Tuffnells have now created a brand-new role for me so I’m working part time day shifts as Warehouse and Yard Maintenance Operative – which I love!”
Tuffnells has been handling business parcel and freight collection and delivery for well over 100 years, and they now deliver more consignments than the whole population of Australia every single year. They provide a range of logistics services and have thousands of colleagues working for them across the UK, with their Head Office based in their founding city of Sheffield.
Matthew Edge, Recruiter at Tuffnells, commented: “We’re really pleased with the Routeway to Employment Programme, it has really helped us to get qualified candidates like Robert through to interview stage. The Chamber managed everything and it was a really smooth process.
“We’re so pleased to have Robert on board with us, he is a hard worker and is a great addition to the team, and we were more than happy to make the adjustments he needed to succeed in his role. We look forward to continuing to work with the Chamber to provide local people with employment opportunities.”
Routeway to Employment Participants must be aged 19+, living in the Liverpool City Region and in receipt of benefits to be eligible for the training and guaranteed interview. However, all are welcome to the Information Sessions to meet employers and apply directly, and access free, impartial careers advice should they need it.
Frances Henderson, Robert’s Support Worker and Supported Employment Service Team Leader at St Helens Borough Council, added: “I have to say this is life changing for Robert, he is over the moon, so thank you to the Chamber team for your part in this process.
“Tuffnells have been amazing and so open to offering everything they can to make this a success for Robert.”
To find out more about Routeway to Employment Programmes and how you can get involved, visit https://www.sthelenschamber.com/startingpoint/support-for-jobseekers/routeway-to-employment-programmes/.
