Michael's lovin' working life!

Michael Howell is another of our participants who has come through our ESF funded Verve programme. Michael met with our Employment Officer, Liz, at her job club in Glengormley Library and they started to work on confidence-building and finding some jobs to apply for. Michael benefitted greatly from taking up a voluntary post as a sales assistant in Barnardos in Carnmoney – he realised he had all the core skills necessary for a career in customer service.

Michael found interviews challenging in that he became anxious and wasn’t always able to give the best account of himself. He was really interested in a job at a new McDonald's branch in Knocknagoney and the manager there saw Michael’s potential at interview and offered him a work trial so he could better showcase his talents. At the end of the trial Michael was offered a job on the spot and says, “my confidence has grown so much. I look forward to going to work and have already made new friends. I have left every shift with a smile on my face… also the free meals are class!”

We are sharing some stories this week as part of World Autism Awareness Week. NOW Group supports people with learning difficulties and Autism in to jobs with a future. Please get in touch if we may be able to help you. You can call us on 028 9043 6400 or drop us a line at admin@nowgroup.org