Alfie Savage joined The Pioneer Group’s Place 2 Work scheme in October 2020 and has now landed a coveted apprenticeship at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).

Place 2 Work is a partnership exploring how organisations like The Pioneer Group can connect residents into training and employment opportunities. The pilot scheme is running until June 2021, working with the Birmingham Anchor Network.

Recently made redundant from his engineering apprenticeship in Digbeth last year, Alfie has been looking for a role since. Wanting to stay in the engineering or manufacturing sector, he joined the Place 2 Work scheme to gain new skills and improve employment opportunities.

Alfie was attracted to the training programme as he understood that many of the skills he would learn are transferrable, and that the trainers were able to send details of relevant open roles to the participants.

Working with his mentor at Place 2 Work, Fateha Begum, he was able to regain his confidence and identify roles suitable to his experience and ambitions.

Fateha Begum, Place 2 Work Coordinator, at The Pioneer Group comments:

I am so proud of Alfie. He has made it through a really competitive selection process and got a great apprenticeship role which fits perfectly with his aspirations and interests.

During the Place 2 Work training, we really get to know our cohorts and recommend roles that we think would be a good fit. It’s fantastic that JLR recognised Alfie’s potential and we wish him all the best with his future role.

Alfie was selected for the position after a rigorous assessment process over multiple stages, including a 2.5-hour interview made up of different activities, such as problem solving.

Prior to the interview, Alfie and Fateha went through interview training and techniques, which were especially useful as the first interaction with JLR was over Zoom. Fateha gave tips in a mock interview and stressed the importance of including his relevant experience.

Alfie, whose role at JLR starts in September 2021, adds:

Fateha and the scheme have been very helpful – her knowledge and advice have been extremely important in me landing this job.

Others from the first Place 2 Work cohort have gone on to paid or voluntary positions, including some at the NHS. If you are interested in finding out more about this service, you can contact The Pioneer Group via:

Tel: 0121 748 0876
Email: place2work@pioneergroup.org.uk
Website: www.pioneergroup.org.uk/place-2-work