Customer Services
Chris Pearce - Priory Court ICT Project
Chris was a successful Senior Project Manager working for over 20 years with a large telecoms company. In 2002 he decided to take voluntary redundancy at a time when many jobs being cut throughout the company. Since then he has found it very difficult to get work despite having a very good CV.
“I had applied for more than 700 jobs but only got 3 interviews and this was after removing my date of birth from my CV. Last year I decided to aim for the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) qualification and picked up a prospectus from the local Adult Education College. I chose Priory Court Community Centre as this was the nearest location to my home. So far I have taken 5 out of the 8 modules* and now hold a level 1 qualification.”
*He passed each module first time with an average mark of 88%
“I think Priory Court is a good centre not only for the learning aspect but also for all the other social activities they provide, such as lunch for pensioners, Circle 33 surgeries and Police ASBO workshops. Last term I introduced my wife to the centre who had no computer knowledge at all and she has now progressed to the E-Citizen qualification course. She also comes in regularly to practise during Drop In times and attends the Computer Workshops. She in turn has referred a neighbour who has just joined the ‘Silver Surfers’ course.”
“I have recently been offered a job from a company I had previously worked for which will utilise the skills I have learnt at Priory Court. When I mentioned at the interview that I was studying for the ECDL the employer was fully aware of the value of the qualification and has arranged for me to take ½ day release in order for me to complete the course.”
