Employment for "Business in the Community" Participant

Andy Pritchard, a participant on Business in the Community's (BITC) Ready for Work Programme, has secured a position with leading integrated support service company Carillion.

Andy from Manchester took part in a two week placement within Carillion's services business, working with its commercial cross functional team which supports asset maintenance services. The team were so impressed with the passion, ambition and professionalism Andy demonstrated, it has led to him securing a role as Commercial Analyst.

Claire Shepherd, Team Leader hosted Andy during his placement: "Andy hit the ground running during his two week voluntary placement as a Commercial Analyst. From his first day he demonstrated passion and determination and worked well within the team. Dealing with quotes and billing, Andy quickly picked up our systems and we are delighted that he is part of our team."

BITC's Ready for Work Programme has been operating since 2001, the four stage programme provides professional training, coaching and support to give people with significant barriers to work the chance they need to gain valuable skills and experience.

Andy adds: "This opportunity means so much to me and I would like to thank Carillion for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. Having experienced a period of homelessness at the end of last year I hit rock bottom. The last six months have been a recovery period, my first challenge was finding accommodation and then move on to stepping back into employment. Carillion and BITC's Ready for Work Programme have been a huge help in this process and I now feel confident and positive about the future."

Chris Gopal, Ready for Work Manager in Manchester said: "I first met Andy when he attended one of our Ready for Work job clubs. He was living in a hostel and had been out of work for a while, but it was clear to me he had a lot to offer an employer. He enjoyed the training and took advantage of the opportunity to brush up on his skills and experience through a two-week work placement with Carillion. It's all down to his hard work and motivation that he's been offered a full-time position and we couldn't be happier for him."