After several months of unemployment, Ahmed was referred to the Restart Scheme by his local Jobcentre Plus with a clear goal in mind; he wanted to work as a delivery driver. While his spoken English was excellent, Ahmed faced challenges with reading and writing, which made completing application forms and understanding written instructions difficult.
During his first meeting with his Job Coach from Maximus, Ahmed shared his ambition to work as a driver but acknowledged that his limited literacy skills were holding him back. To help him overcome this barrier, he was referred to the ESOL team and enrolled in tailored lessons designed to improve his reading and writing skills.
For eight weeks, Ahmed attended structured sessions every Wednesday at the Restart Scheme office. The lessons focused on practical literacy, including reading road signs, understanding job instructions, and completing application forms. Exercises also helped him build confidence in writing simple sentences and filling out paperwork accurately.
Although Ahmed initially worried that improving his writing would delay his job search, his determination and the trainer’s supportive approach helped him stay motivated. By the end of the course, Ahmed had made remarkable progress. He could confidently read job descriptions, complete forms, and understand written instructions.
Reflecting on his journey, Ahmed said: “I feel much more confident now. Before, I avoided jobs because I couldn’t fill in the forms. Now, I can apply for driving jobs without fear.”
This improvement opened new doors. Ahmed attended an NHS Insight Session hosted by Serco, which provided an overview of roles within NHS Wales and guidance on the application process. With support from Restart Scheme staff, Ahmed successfully applied for an NHS Driver Bank vacancy. He is now awaiting his confirmed start date. Ahmed’s journey shows how the right support and a determined mindset can truly change someone’s future.
