Liam McNamara from Merthyr was one of hundreds of local people to fall victim to the recession and the terrible effects it brought to the local manufacturing industry. Against all odds, the 41 year old is now successfully fighting his way back into work through the employability programme offered by Merthyr’s oldest manufacturing firm, Merthyr Tydfil Institute for the Blind and online learning provider learndirect.
Liam previously worked as a production line operator in the Hoover factory for 14 years. He was one of the 337 employees to be made redundant from the factory earlier this year and despite searching for work for the past 6 months, he is now on his way to gaining employment through a new employability programme offered through MTIB, utilising learndirect.co.uk Working Ways learning material.
Liam is now on a new path to employment and after being referred under the Workstep Scheme by his local Jobcentre Plus. Liam is now gaining skills and work experience via the Merthyr Tydfil Institute for the Blind factory. MTIB is not just a factory but it is also offers an employment service, helping members of the local community, with or without a disability to gain the skills to get back into employment.
Liam has nearly completed his 6 week employability programme and Working Ways course, and says:
“I left school with little qualifications and it was only when I reached adulthood that I realised I was dyslexic.
“I know there a lot of people in my situation out there, but it doesn’t make it any easier to cope. If you do find yourself in my situation then try to do the best you can and take advantage of all the re-skilling that is offered. IT skills are especially as this is now a basic skill that all employers are asking for in order to get ahead.
“I’m lucky that my wife is still employed but others are not so lucky, if this is your situation then don’t delay as there are jobs out there, but you do need to do everything you can as you’ll have to fight for them.”
If you would like more information on the Working Ways course then contact cymru@learndirect.co.uk.
