Two lads make right move into employment

November 9, 2007

Two new operatives have been recruited by Abels Moving Services workforce from the Jobcentre Plus Work Trials scheme.

Scott Munday (25) and Shane Butler (20) joined Abels under the scheme back in March. Both were subsequently offered positions as porters/packers.

The Jobcentre Plus Work Trial scheme is designed to help unemployed people to find a job. It places them with companies for up to three weeks’ work experience so that both parties can try each other out: the employer can see if the candidates have the aptitude for the job, and the candidates can see if they like the work.

Scott and Shane are both being given comprehensive training in packing and removals at the Abels training school at Brandon. The firm is one of only a few that operates its own training school, teaching staff how to handle furniture in difficult situations and the techniques for protecting antiques and valuable china and glass in transit. The school’s training expertise is recognised across the industry, and its courses have been provided to many other organisations, such as Laura Ashley and John Lewis.

Abels has always recognised the importance of training. In 1995, the firm was the first company in the industry to achieve Investor in People accreditation, and then the first to have it successively renewed four times.

Scott is now due to be given Class II Large Goods Vehicle driver training so he can progress within the company to become a driver. Shane will be taking his car driving test later this year so he too can move on to LGV driver training.

Scott, who had just finished a move to Luxembourg, was pleased with his new career: “A lot of jobs drag, but this one doesn’t at all – time just flies by. The work is varied and interesting, and you get to meet some interesting people.”

Shane, who had just returned from a move to Holland, was similarly happy with his new role: “The guys are a great laugh. Everyone helps each other, and they have helped us settle in.”

John Watson, Abels’ UK services managing director, said: “Scott and Shane are nice people – they demonstrated the kind of attitude and commitment to do the training right as soon as they started, and we want people like that.

“The Jobcentre Work Trials scheme has proved very useful in selecting new staff: the on-the-job evaluation, for both sides, has been invaluable.

“We have experienced problems in the past recruiting the right kind of people: working in removals is not the first choice for a school leaver as it is not perceived as being interesting or exciting, and it is very hard work.

“As Scott and Shane are finding out, half of our business is international, which means the job includes foreign travel, and as Abels is at the very top of the industry, and the only firm with a Royal Warrant to HM the Queen, we get to move some very interesting people, sometimes well-known personalities.”

Ronnie Knight, personal adviser at Thetford Jobcentre Plus said: “Work Trials are a brilliant way for people to try out a job for up to 15 days and continue to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Income Support. I am so pleased that both Scott and Shane are both continuing to enjoy their jobs and it goes to show how good Work Trials are when helping people back to work. It is very satisfying to know that I have helped not just them, but also helped the employer find two excellent employees.”

Abels is continuing to consider people from the Jobcentre Plus Work Trial scheme, offering four positions from the eight who have participated to date.