3 minute read
Will I still have enough to eat?
Work Avenue still offering support despite pandemic
The Work Avenue team remote working
BY DAVID SAFFER
Work Avenue helps to place clients into work and upskill into work.
The Finchley-based operation is now working remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic but business advisers are on hand with expert advice.
Whether commercial or marketing workshops, interview technique, CV writing, networking tips or transferable skills, distinct departments serve its many clients.
And with the country in lockdown their expertise is essential at a historic time because when the Covid-19 crisis eventually relents businesses will return to work.
Chief executive Debbie Sheldon is just a few days into a new working pattern and clear the charity will adapt further going forward.
“Our advisers are very much on hand for the businesses,” she said. “Face to face networking has had to end but we are advising how best to use social media to progress, meet people and develop.
“My team place people into work, help people upskill into work,” commented Emma May, director of operations and employment. “We are not magicians but narrow the odds in their favour.
“We offer interventions to help the job seeking front. We help people with interview skills, where and how to look to work, how to complete application forms, connect people to people. Everything narrows odds community.
“Our services, like the business side, include one-to-one meetings, group activities and events. Group ones including job fairs have had to be curtailed but we hope all
in a client’s favour.
“Most critically, we run a jobs board. There are employers who like working with the community so when a job comes about they can offer it to someone in the these will be up and running as they were in the fullness of time.
“What is running is one to one support. We have five advisers, all up to speed with zoom conferencing, skype or by telephone. We are here to advise, reassure, help focus. Clients are worried, we all are, so to have a conversation about job seeking is really important.
“Advisers are busy and we are helping, but on the placement side we have to be realistic. Clients are uncertain, jobs have been put on hold, which is not surprising but there is recruitment going on remotely by video interview and people looking at CVs. A trickle will start again, we are optimistic jobs will come on stream. Above all, it’s really important to continue helping our clients at the moment.”
Uncertainty is a worry, but Work Avenue clients are demonstrating resolve in difficult times.
“An example is a client who is adapting a CV to show potential employers he is working from home and able to build relationships,” explained Debbie. “This is not what he was doing two weeks ago, he can add value to a company for a job opportunity.” Work Avenue is offering clients advice on how video interviews differ to face to face interviews.
Debbie explained, “We are giving practical tips because the recruitment process is happening.
“We are also working as a team to spot new opportunities. It’s about being agile, being ahead of the game, thinking creatively, using transferable skills, using technology wisely.
“Graphic design jobs do not need to be done in a specific location. There is nothing wrong with people working remotely, once up to speed they can work often at a lower cost to employers.”
Nevertheless, there is concern about long-term knock-on effects, especially when it comes to raising funds for a business. “This is a critical stage of business,” commented Debbie. “They are not at the start-up phase when they can manage themselves, they are at the stage of growth looking for funding and a funders risk appetite will change at the moment.
“There is panic and worry. But we will settle into a new norm. I can’t paint a completely rosy picture. Some people are going to be asked to take unpaid leave, some people will be on 50 percent. Business decisions have to be made, there are horrible decisions. There are people on probation easy to get rid of but there will be space for people to come back when the uncertainty goes. I just hope the uncertain period is not as long as some people are predicting.”
Emma added, “When we are talking to clients we are very careful. ‘Don’t worry it’s
