A Small Heath man who had never previously worked, due to a debilitating eye condition, has been helped into employment by Jobjunction – a Birmingham based partnership project aimed at helping local people into jobs.

Mohammed Iryaan, aged 21, who lives in St. Oswald Road, took part in a six-week course run by Jobjunction, which gave him the skills to start work after his health improved. He has since been employed on a permanent basis by OCS Limited, based at Birmingham Airport, as a Trolley Collector.

Jobjunction Manager, Fran Hall, explained: “Several organisations who help people into work in the Birmingham area, including Jobcentre Plus and the Learning and Skills Council, have joined forces to form this unique partnership to help unemployed people update their work skills before helping them find a job on the Birmingham Airport complex. We offer a six week course that covers things like health and safety in the workplace, first aid and customer service. We then give intensive assistance to help them find a job – including the chance to do a two week Work Trial to try out the job before signing off.”

A Work Trial is a short test period in a real job, and it’s the ideal way for employers to fill a vacancy with minimum risk or for jobseekers to move back into work after a period on benefits.  During their Work Trial the employee stays on their normal benefits (but receives travel expenses and a meal allowance), so there’s no cost to the employer. The employee gets the chance to try the job and the employer gets time to decide whether the person can do the job. There’s no obligation on either side.

Mohammed, who previous claimed income support due to his illness, said: “The Work Trial gave me the chance to prove to myself and my new employer that I could really do the job. It was a great way to see if I’d cope with the job before signing off. I love my new job and things are going very well.”

Mohammed has been employed by OCS Limited since August this year. His duties include wheelchair assistance for disabled passengers and dealing with lost luggage.

People on incapacity benefits or long-term sickness benefits who would like to find out more information about returning to work should contact their local Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus office or visit the Jobcentre Plus website at www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.

People who live in the Birmingham area and would like to know more information about Jobjunction can contact Fran Hall on telephone number 0121 254 2606.