TNG, one of the UK’s leading providers of Welfare to Work training and development, is successfully fighting pre-conceptions and combating barriers to employment through training. TNG, which provides mentoring, training and employment services is committed to providing the long-term unemployed with the skill and confidence to get back to work.

One person helped in Horsham was Susan, a 39 year old single parent, who, despite having completed an IT qualification (CLIAT Level 2) and achieved a diploma from Learn Direct for completing 5 online courses, found it hard to find a job that provided her with the work/life balance she needed to look after her child. After struggling to find work and battling with low self esteem, she turned to TNG for extra support.

Her TNG mentor began by focusing upon Susan’s self-confidence and self-belief. With the help of her mentor, Kevin Brown, Susan developed her CV presentation and interview techniques. She has since found employment at a direct learning centre, where she is a Support Tutor, working the hours that suits her needs as a single parent.

Commenting on the help given to her by TNG, Susan said: "Since starting the course at TNG, I have more self confidence and believe in myself. I was a full time mum and found it hard to believe that I could be anything other than that. The mentoring provided by Kevin, my mentor at TNG, was instrumental to finding new employment as it looked at enhancing and adding to my existing skills, as opposed to focusing on the ones I lacked. I’m now in a position to provide my family with a better future."

Deborah Fernandes, TNG Manager of South East England Mentoring, commented: "When Susan joined the mentoring course at TNG she didn’t believe that she had anything to offer an employer. Her main barrier to work was her self-confidence. By listening to her hopes, fears and worries we were able to focus on building her self-esteem and help her back into work."