Amin started his career in his native Iran where he achieved a Bachelor degree in Power Transmission and Distribution Network Engineering, going on to work as a self-employed Electrical Contractor before fleeing the country and arriving in the UK as a refugee around July 2015. Since his arrival, Amin has achieved LLR in the UK and has been exploring career opportunities with the hope of following his passion and becoming an electrician in the UK
Struggling to find a way to return to the world of engineering, Amin reached out to Wise Steps where he was placed with Paulina at Newcastle Futures. Having completed a City and Guilds Level 2 in Electrical Installations which, due to his previous experience, he passed easily, he wanted to take the next steps and do his Level 3. This next qualification is the level that most employers require prospective applicants to have, meaning that it became important to find a way for Amin to get on to the course. Unfortunately, these courses can be quite cost-intensive, totalling over £3500 when paid via student loan; money which Amin did not have access to. Due to Amin’s previous experience in the world of electronic engineering, Paulina wondered whether there was another route for Amin to take and her questions were answered when she came across TTE Training’s Level 3 City and Guilds qualification in Electrical Installations which is aimed at those with trade experience.
Paulina put in a Spot Purchase Training Request, making a case why this was the preferred and most cost effective option for Amin to progress. Once the paperwork was completed it didn’t take long before the request was approved and Amin’s place on the course booked. Amin studied really hard before the course – even though he had experience in the trade he had been out of touch with electrical work for some time and UK standards are different to those in Iran.
During his time on the programme whilst studying, Amin has also volunteered for Recyke Y’Bike where he was provided with Velotech training in Bicycle Mechanics. With a flair for engineering already, Amin was able to breeze through this course and is now a qualified bicycle mechanic, adding another string to his bow. He was also able to gain experience of working within an office after he was offered the opportunity to work with Your Homes Newcastle as a contract administrator, helping other refugees with their asylum process.
In December of 2019, Amin’s hard work paid off and he became a fully qualified Electrician with Level 3 qualifications and 18th Edition. From here, Amin was qualified up to the industry’s standard and was ready to begin working on his CV and interview prep with the Newcastle Futures team, hoping to secure himself a job in his desired sector.
Unfortunately, due to the emerging COVID-19 crisis, Amin’s job search plans were hindered by a slowing jobs market. However, this did not stop him from applying his technical expertise, where he decided to utilise his 3D printer to create PPE for key workers. Seeing the opportunity to help our key workers, Amin put his technical know-how to work and began the design and creation of comfortable face-guards with a re-usable head band. This equipment is vital to our frontline workers to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus whilst providing important, and in some cases life-saving, support to those who have suffered from the worst of this disease.
Amin is currently looking to the future and hopeful he will achieve Electrical Engineering work soon. He has nothing but overwhelmingly positive things to say about Paulina and the Wise Steps programme:
“Paulina from Wise Steps is like an angel in my life who supported me to gain the qualification and the only person working very hard to see me progressing and achieving my goals.’”
Congratulations to Amin and we have no doubt he’ll find himself in his dream job sooner rather than later!
Wise Steps delivered by the Wise Group and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and the European Social Fund delivers support for people in Tyne and Wear that want to transform their lives. Working in partnership with local organisations Wise Steps provides one to one support to people facing barriers assisting them to access employment and work experience opportunities, supporting them to achieve qualifications and improving their wellbeing and life chances.
To find out more about Wise Steps and how they can help people to prepare for work, please visit their website.
