After being out of work for a few months, 19-year-old Beth McKillop from Burnley knew she wanted to find something more suited to her strengths. That’s where Steps to Employment came in…
With experience working in a bakery and nightclubs, Beth realised that office-based roles weren’t for her. She explained: “I never liked being in a classroom or behind a desk, so I knew a 9-5 wouldn’t work for me. I like the people I work with now and I enjoy shifts and being on my feet.”
Beth first heard about Steps to Employment from a flyer at St Peter’s Centre, while visiting about the WorkWell programme. From there, she was referred onto a five-week forklift course with the Transport Training Academy by her employment coach, Charlotte.
A new direction
Beth quickly impressed her tutors, becoming the first in her group to pass her forklift licence. She also gained her Low Level Order Picker qualification, giving her a strong foundation to move into logistics.
Izett Thompson from the Transport Training Academy said: “Beth is a great listener and puts things into practice quickly. Out of her cohort, she was the first to pass. I’m proud of her for getting into full-time employment so quickly.”
Beth’s employment coach, Charlotte Ellwood, added: “I’m so proud of Beth for completing the course and going on so quickly to find employment. It shows the power of upskilling and having a good attitude to learning.”
Finding the right role
Beth soon secured a role at VEKA, a leading Burnley employer with around 400 staff. She joined through the Clarets Elevate Employability Programme, which is run by BFC in the Community – a Burnley Together partner.
At VEKA, Beth has continued to grow. She has completed a first aid course and moved from warehouse work into lamination, quickly becoming a valued member of the team.
Sophie Cross, Talent Acquisition Business Partner at VEKA, said: “We’re always looking for people with a good attitude who are willing to get stuck in, and Beth fits that perfectly.
She continued: “She’s motivated, keen and fit in with the team straight away. We struggle to find forklift drivers, so having this on her CV really helped her to stand out.”
Claire Knight, Employability Co-ordinator at Burnley FC in The Community who organise Clarets Elevate, added: “Beth’s motivation and positive attitude really stood out. I wasn’t surprised when she was offered a contract, and it was fantastic to hear she’d been made permanent. There are so many opportunities and continued professional development at VEKA – Beth’s already made great progress.”
Looking to the future
For Beth, the journey has been life changing. She concluded: “It’s been a nice journey – especially because I was doing nothing before. I love my new role and I’m so grateful that I came to Charlotte for help.”
