Careers Wales ReAct to Helen’s plight

Careers Wales Gwent helped a woman from Abergavenny after she was made redundant from a major insurance company following thirty years service.

Helen Payek was made redundant from her role as Business Services Manager earlier this year and found she had difficulty re-entering the job market at such a turbulent time. She then decided to contact Careers Wales Gwent for their expert help and advice.

With the help of advisor Steve Reardon, Helen is now about to start her new job as a training advisor with Acorn in Newport.

Funding was provided through the Welsh Assembly Government's ReAct scheme, which allowed Helen to re-train and overcome the obstacles she had found after re-entering the employment market after thirty years with the same employer.

The scheme not only provides the participants with funding for their costs, it also covers costs faced by the business for re-training and even pays contributions towards wage bills.

With Helen about to start her new role she is thankful for the support provided by Careers Wales Gwent and said: "Being made redundant after so many years I was worried that finding new employment would be a long and difficult process, especially given the recent economic climate. Careers Wales Gwent has been fantastic and has helped me along every step towards starting my new job from helping me decide what I would like to do next to preparing me for the interview."

Helena Williams the Corporate Development Director at Acorn's Learning and Development division said: "We are delighted to have someone with Helen's background and experience in the insurance sector joining our team. Helen will be a key member of our assessment team and will play a vital role taking forward the new retail financial services focusing on the insurance sector within Acorn"

Helen added: "Without Careers Wales Gwent I may still be searching for the right job and I am extremely grateful for that."