An emergency grant for retraining courses to help redundant pottery workers after a wave of job losses last year is already reaping benefits. More than 100 former workers from Doulton, Wedgwood, Biltons, Staffordshire Tableware and Wade Ceramics have found work thanks to the Rapid Response Fund (RRF) grant administered by Staffordshire TEC and local job centres. JIM PENDRILL spoke to workers for whom retraining has opened up a new life outside the ceramic industry.

Until a few weeks ago, William Gardener had never been for an interview in his life.
In short, he had no idea how to sell himself if the fateful day ever arrived when he was out of a job.
That day arrived last Christmas when, after 22 years' loyal service to Biltons, the 38-year-old found himself out of a job together with 270 colleagues.

At the time, father-of-three William, from Trent Vale, had been thinking about a move.
In fact, the kiln supervisor was even taking a computer course at the time of his redundancy with a view to maybe moving on.

However, with a family to support and job security at the top of his mind, he had decided on staying put for the time being.

Mr Gardener now readily admits that redundancy did him a favour – for, within four months of losing his job, he now finds himself a district agency development manager for financial group Provident.

But he knows that he would never have stood a chance of getting the job had he not been on an Aspiring Managers course funded by the RRF grant.

The course was specifically re-designed to help unemployed ceramic workers with supervisory experience improve their management skills.

Said Mr Gardener: ‘‘When I was made redundant, I just kept my hopes up and really saw it as an advantage rather than a loss and the chance to do something else.

‘‘I had wanted to move on, but I had kept the safe option because I wanted job security.
‘‘I mailboxed a lot of financial companies, but a lot turned around and said no.

‘‘When I got to hear about the course, I jumped at the chance because I knew I lacked a lot of basic skills.

‘‘For instance, I had never had an interview in my life because when I was taken on at Biltons it was simply because my mum was already there and you didn't need any references. That was the way it worked back then.

‘‘The course showed me exactly how to approach interviews and when I went for the Provident job I won them over.

‘‘I was also full of confidence when I walked through that door, confidence I wouldn't have had without the course.

‘‘I would urge anyone thinking of taking up a course to try it. It is well worth doing.''

William's wife Julie, who was also made redundant from Biltons, is also taking the same course and is hopeful it will lead to work in the care sector.

She added: ‘‘We both began Aspiring Managers back in January and have not looked back.

‘‘We were both feeling not very confident and the thought of job searching was daunting.

‘‘The programme has helped to bring out our strengths and regain the confidence we needed to get back into jobs."

Former Doulton worker Phillip Czapski, 45, also took advantage of the Aspiring Managers course when his world caved in last December.

The course has now led to him becoming manager of Motor World's Longton store. He said: ‘‘When you are made redundant, it is a big blow and it is easy to sit and do nothing, but you have to move on and change direction.

‘‘There were times when I felt down, particularly when I had initial job rejections, but on the day of the course I would get myself spruced up, put on a suit and really felt positive.

‘‘It gives you that push you need to learn the new skills you so desperately seek.

‘‘I personally lacked communication skills, but by the time I went for the interview with Motor World I had the confidence I needed.

The Aspiring Managers pilot has been so successful that Staffordshire TEC is now taking names for a second programme.

But Staffordshire TEC spokeswoman Sharon Spencer-Wright said it was just one example of a RRF-backed course that was paying dividends for unemployed pottery workers.

She added: ‘‘Former pottery workers are going into a wide range of jobs outside the ceramic industry thanks to a range of courses."

For further details about the courses available, contact the TEC on 01782 202733.