Member Article

Andrew scores own goal at Complete Football

A sports fanatic from Newburn has just scored the biggest own goal of his life, but rather than being downhearted, it’s the best result that the 31-year-old could wish for.

After months of searching for work, unemployed Andrew Pearson has finally been rewarded with his dream job at Complete Football in Gosforth, thanks to a unique relationship between the company and Ingeus, which delivers the government’s Work Programme throughout the North East.

Andrew’s success comes after he attended a week-long course earlier this year hosted by Ingeus and supported by Complete Football. Called ‘Best in Field’, the course uses sport to help long-term jobseekers develop transferrable skills including leadership, teamwork and communication. And for Andrew it certainly did the trick – not only did his self-confidence increase immeasurably, he also acquired a sports qualification whilst on the course and he impressed the team at Complete Football. He has just been rewarded with a job at the centre, managing three leagues and organising a number of football-related events and functions.

“I have been unemployed several times, but I never lost sight of my passion to work in sport,” said Andrew. “That’s why I was so keen to attend the course organised by Ingeus - I was hoping it would open doors for me, and that’s exactly what it did.”

David Harbottle, an employment advisor at Ingeus, knew it would be only a matter of time before Andrew succeeded. “He took advantage of every opportunity open to him and made full use of everything the Work Programme has to offer, including refining his CV, guidance with searching for jobs that matched his skills, and developing a really strong interview technique with the support of our team at Ingeus’s Newcastle office. Andrew has boundless drive and enthusiasm, and that got him noticed when he attended our Best in Field course.”

Ingeus’s strong relationship with Complete Football is also due to the commitment of manager Andy Lau. “Together, we run numerous courses and events. It’s given us the confidence to send our job opportunities to Ingeus because we know they will carefully match people on the Work Programme with our vacancies. Andrew is proof that the system works – he is enthusiastic, has fresh ideas and is a great team player who leads by example. Ingeus’s employment services also work and that’s why we see them as a true recruitment partner.”

“I put my heart and soul into the course and it meant I was noticed by Ingeus and by Complete Football,” added Andrew. “I’ve lost count of the number of jobs I have applied for over the years, but the long wait was worth it. There’s a strong footballing tradition here in the North East, but I feel like I have just won the Premiership!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ingeus .