A jobseeker-turned-employment-consultant from South Wales has been shortlisted as New Recruit of the Year at this year’s Jobcentre Plus Awards, after being nominated by her employer, Working Links.
The JCP Awards showcase and celebrate the achievements of businesses and individuals who have worked in partnership with Jobcentre Plus to offer or find employment. The New Recruit of the Year award is given to the most outstanding recruit who has found work having been previously unemployed.
Mother of two, Lucy Cadwallader, 29, from Tredegar, joined the employer solutions team at Working Links in September 2009, before which she had been unemployed for six months and finding life difficult looking after Morgan, 7, and Maisie, 4 after her relationship ended. Initially referred to Working Links as a jobseeker, Miss Cadwallader quickly stood out from the crowd and was encouraged to take part in an assessment day which ultimately led to a role with the Employer Solutions Team (EST).
Commenting on being shortlisted for the award, Miss Cadwallader said: “I find my work very rewarding, not least because I am now helping people in similar circumstances to my own just a few months ago. My confidence was very low when I came to Working Links as a jobseeker and it took the one-to-one support and guidance to show me what I was capable of. I hope that I can now show other people that, with help, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.”
Although one of the newest members of the team, Miss Cadwallader was the highest performing consultant for two months running, achieving double the number of successful placements than the next best performing consultant. In just six months, she has developed relationships with more than 30 local employers which have led to a range of work experience and job offers, as well as specialist training for jobseekers.
A successful job club established by Miss Cadwallader has also helped jobseekers to work together to find employment, training and work experience placements which have led to job offers.
Joanne Van, Employer Solutions Manager for Working Links, said: “Lucy is passionate about helping others realise their potential, often calling on her own experiences to encourage people who think ‘I can’t’ by showing then that they can. Lucy is very open about her determination to set a good example to her children and her positive, ‘can do’ attitude and relentless perseverance on behalf of her employer and jobseeker customers is outstanding. Her achievements in such a short time with Working Links are a great motivator to everyone around her and we are delighted she has been shortlisted for this award. Lucy is inspirational, committed and passionate about her job, as well as being a top performer – the kind of employee every business looks to have.”
