A MUM has secured her first job in 15 years after help from a training provider.

Joanne McTeer was supported by Team Valley-based Access Training.

The 34-year-old, who took a break from full-time work to raise her four children, enrolled on an IT and employability course, and secured a job in Primark at the MetroCentre.

She said: “Returning to work after such a long period of time is extremely daunting and it’s easy to be put off going for interviews because of a lack of confidence.

“I had decided that with all my children at school, it was the right time to go back to work but I just wasn’t prepared for the interview process and was being turned down for jobs because I wasn’t able to get across my skills and attributes in the right way.

“The Access course really helped and the skills I learned were invaluable in helping me to succeed at my interview.”

The seven-week Access course covers writing and tailoring a CV, provides learners with a dedicated Jobmatch account, a personal email account, mock interview experience and equips them with the skills and knowledge to search and apply for jobs online.

Barbara Anderson, Ms McTeer’s trainer at Access, said: “A lot of the time, those who are unemployed are really fearful of interview situations and this can be enough to put them off applying for jobs.

“Knowing where and how to search and apply for a job and having a strong CV, coupled with the confidence to really sell your skills and strengths, is essential and really helped Joanne.”