Shaping Futures, Changing Lives | Alex's story
Progress Housing Group and Howards Decorators work together to provide a brilliant work experience opportunity for our Progress Futures customer, Alex
Shaping Futures, Changing Lives | Alex's story
Progress Housing Group and Howards Decorators work together to provide a brilliant work experience opportunity for our Progress Futures customer, Alex
We were delighted to work with our Lancashire-based contractor, Howards Decorators, to help provide a brilliant work experience opportunity for our Progress Futures customer, Alex.
19-year-old Alex lives with his mum and brother in their Progress Housing Group home in Lancashire.
Alex was referred to our employment and skills service, Progress Futures, by Housing Officer, Elaine, as he wanted some support around adding experience to his CV and looking at paid employment to fit in with his studies.
Alex first met his Progress Futures mentor, Cathy, at his home, where Alex's mum, Marie, explained that Alex has a learning disability. This first meeting was an excellent opportunity for Alex to tell Cathy what he was currently up to and what he wants to do in the future, which included looking into trades apprenticeships after finishing his college course.
At the time of the meeting, Alex had enrolled in a Level 1 Painting and Decorating Course with Preston College, where he was also completing his Maths and English functional skills qualifications. He told Cathy that although it was still early days, he enjoyed it and said he would consider future employment in painting and decorating. Cathy asked Alex if he would like relevant work experience to put on his CV, and he jumped at the chance.
Cathy spoke with our Property Services colleagues about Alex, and they put her in touch with Howards Decorators, one of our painting contractors. Chriss Whittle at Howards Decorators was so helpful and very quickly responded that Howards would love to help Alex gain some work experience to put on his CV.
Cathy worked closely with Chris, and together, they organised a bespoke four-week work experience placement for Alex that started in February 2024 and worked around his college studies. They provided Alex with a uniform and the correct PPE, and he wore the steel-toe-capped boots that he wears for college. He was picked up from his house early in the morning on a Monday and Tuesday and returned there at the end of the working day.
Alex thoroughly enjoyed his time at Howards Decorators and is now really pleased he has something of real value to put on his CV. Thank you, Howards Decorators!
Alex and Cathy will continue working closely to see where Alex's journey takes him next!
Chris Whittle from Howards Decorators said,
"Howards Decorators has a long history of supporting young people into the decorating trade, including work placements and apprenticeships. When Cathy from Progress Futures approached us for support in providing a work placement opportunity for a young resident, we were happy to work collaboratively to help.
"We provided a work placement for Alex, who worked with our qualified and experienced decorators, learning all aspects of the painting and decorating services we provide to Progress. We made sure Alex felt safe in the environments he was working in and was happy with the learning pace. We also updated Cathy and Alex's mum to discuss his progress, and made sure he was comfortable with his level of supervision at all times.
"Alex was keen to learn, committed to helping as much as possible and proved to be a hard worker. We wish Alex every success in the future."