Malik’s looking to future thanks to training course
Fair Start boosts confidence and communication skills
NIKI TENNANT
A woman who moved from Pakistan to Rutherglen for a new way of life has overcome communication barriers and feelings of isolation, thanks to a vocational training course.
Riffat Malik Rukshana, known as Malik, grew up in Sargodha and settled in Fernhill in early 2019.
To help improve her prospects of finding work, the 43-year-old joined the Fair Start Scotland service in Hamilton.
Malik told the Reformer: “I had good qualifications in Pakistan, but they weren’t so relevant when I moved to the UK.
“My main barrier to employment here was my communication skills.”
After attending weekly appointments with key worker Gillian Pollock, Malik made excellent progress.
Gillian created an action plan to help with Malik’s personal development, communication skills and employment prospects.
With continued support, Malik accessed a 13-week vocational training course with Remploy’s Transforming Lives community partner, Digital College.
The course forms part of the South Lanarkshire College inclusiveness project.
Malik explained: “I want to work in admin, so the 13-week course gives me the opportunity to learn and develop for 11 weeks and then put these learnings into practice through a two-week placement opportunity.
“On top of this, I was also attending weekly appointments with my key worker at Remploy, which really boosted my confidence.”
Malik also attended community English for speakers of other languages’ (ESOL) classes to improve her written and verbal communication skills.
As Remploy closed branches due to COVID-19, the ESOL classes were also suspended.
That left Malik feeling worried as she feared that it would halt her progress.
However, with support from Gillian, Malik was able to access some online ESOL classes. She continued: “I became particularly anxious about where my future lay, as all my development sessions were stopping and I didn’t know how to continue accessing any services.
“Luckily, I have been able to continue working with Gillian as well as continuing with the ESOL classes, all from the comfort of my own home.
“Remploy has helped open doors and, through my weekly video conferencing with Gillian, I am able to practice my verbal communication, which is really great.”
Praising Malik’s hard work and dedication, Gillian said: “Malik continues to develop through weekly contact with us along with ESOL classes, and I feel really confident that when the coronavirus restrictions are lifted, she will be in a great position to secure a role in admin.
“Malik’s confidence continues to grow and her communication skills are improving massively.
“It’s amazing to see that we are still having such a positive impact on people’s lives as we deliver Fair Start Scotland remotely.”
Main barrier to employment was my communication skills