A single mum’s confidence is flying high after a work placement led her to a job at Birmingham Airport.

Vicky Ellis (36), from Marston Green, a mother of three, had been claiming income support for more than a year. Although she was keen to find a job, her self-confidence had plummeted over the months she had been away from the workplace.

Her personal adviser at Jobcentre Plus recommended the Job Junction training programme aimed at helping local people into work. After successfully completing the course, Vicky was offered a work trial with Ponti’s restaurant at the airport. This meant she could try out the job with no risk of losing her benefits if the placement didn’t work out.

Vicky 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 before signing off. I love my new job and things are going very well.”

Vicky is now employed on a permanent basis by Ponti's and has been awarded a Solihull College Learning Award for gaining skills leading into employment.

Neal Finch, manager at Ponti’s Restaurant, said: “I’d recommend any employer to try work trials. They don’t cost anything, are easy to arrange and there’s no risk involved on either side. They are very useful for seeing how candidates suit a job. Vicky has proved to be an excellent member of the team.”