Xi Eden was referred by the Job Centre to do Newly Unemployed module. She had completed the L3 Sage Line 50 course at Highbury College and wanted to find work in bookkeeping/financial accounting.

the tutor checked her CV and gave her some tips to update it

On the module the tutor checked her CV and gave her some tips to update it. The tutor agreed that work experience in finance would increase Xi’s chance of getting paid employment. Her tutor advised Xi to increase her qualifications.

At first, her tutor contacted various local Financial/Accounting companies, but unfortunately, it was against their policies to take on volunteers in due to the high confidentiality issues involved.

Her tutor asked Portsmouth City Council if they had any volunteering opportunities, but they had no placements at that time. 

Then her tutor asked her own company, Learning Links, if there was any office admin/financial voluntary work available.

whilst looking for a placement Xi had  increased her qualifications

After a while, a volunteer placement with Learning Links was offered to her.

Whilst looking for a placement Xi had taken her tutors advice and increased her qualifications. She completed her L2 Numeracy qualification at the Omega Centre and completed a Level 2 Excel course at Highbury College.

Xi proved so useful and competent during her volunteer placement, Learning Links managed to secure funding for 6 months paid employment through Portsmouth City Council and the Future Job Fund project.

The funding also allowed Xi to study Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) course Level 2 at Southdown College.