Changing career in the recession

Derek Southall Resident of Skelton

My name is Derek, I live in Skelton but I'm originally from Middlesbrough, and I'm 37.

I moved to Skelton with my girlfriend Susan and two stepsons, 19 year old Adam, and 21 year old Liam.

Derek and Joshua on a trip out with the family pets

We have also had a new addition to the family, Joshua who is now two years old.

I have worked with wood ever since I left school.

I started on a youth training scheme, and was put on placement within three months where I got a City and Guilds in Wood and Furniture Trade Principles Level 1.

Unemployed

After that I was given a full time job making fitted kitchens, and have since worked for many kitchen and joinery companies.

Work was good until the recession hit and my employer tried all he could to keep me and my colleges in work but then soon after had to close, making me unemployed.

I was unemployed for a few months with no luck, then I tried going self-employed. It worked for about a month and a half then the same thing happened... there was just no work.

All the jobs I applied for said I needed NVQ's or City and Guilds in joinery but didn't have these qualifications so I went to the Job Centre to see if there were any courses to get these qualifications but had no luck - they said I had to be in full time employment so then they could assess my work.

It was a vicious circle, without qualifications I could not get a job and without a job I cannot get qualifications.

Change of career

Joshua and his supportive partner Susan

And to make things worse, after six months my contributions based jobseekers allowance would stop as my partner was in full time work.

I would not be able to get income based jobseekers allowance, they expected my girlfriend to look after me, my son, my stepson and all the bills as well as pay for our mortgage to keep a roof above our kids heads.

In the last four or five months I have chosen to change my career and try my hand at health and social care

My partner is a qualified nurse and her two sisters are both in the health and social sector, so I knew a lot about the jobs in that area.

I also have looked after my mother and cared for other family members in the past, so I know I have that caring nature!

I have just finished a Health and Social Care Routeway with Working Links which has been very helpful, I hope this gives me the edge against other people, and I actually hope to have a interview in the next week or so with Mencap.

My partner is coping as well as she can as with all the stress of having to look after the whole house finances as well as working shifts, she has been very understanding and is fully behind me in all I do and am very grateful for this and very proud of her.

Follow Derek's progress as he gets help preparing for his interview

The Big Question: Why Can't I Get A Job? Mark Denten will be following Derek as he prepares for his interview.

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