A Trafford learner has found that every little bit of Rathbone’s support helps – as he bids to land a job at TESCO.

Stephen Cordwell is one of the pioneering students on the IN2WORK programme, which enables 19-24-year-olds to gain the confidence, qualifications and experience they need to land employment. And the scheme opened a door for the former retail supervisor recently when it hosted a recruitment event at Rathbone and introduced Stephen to bosses at TESCO.

The supermarket giant, who allowed Mindel House learners to open their Oxford Street branch in the Manchester city centre, are now launching a 24-hour store in Old Trafford. So what better place to find some of the 300 staff required than Rathbone’s Chester Road training base – just a stone’s throw from their new premises.

Stephen Cordwell

Over three days, Rathbone hosted TESCO as they ran sessions aimed at the community informing them what the new supermarket is all about and what would be expected of new staff. Vastly experienced Stephen – who also worked at a busy newsagents - impressed at the first session and has been invited back for a skills building course. If he completes the programme (which is being run in tandem with Jobcentre Plus) he will be back in the sociable profession he enjoys and be standing on his own two feet after a difficult time.

“I like customer service because I can help people” said Stephen, “I do need a job, as it’s been a struggle to make ends meet.”

Stephen has his own flat now in nearby Whalley Range following six years of on and off homelessness. He has applied for over 50 jobs over the last few months but armed with the confidence he has gained at Rathbone, Stephen is confident of a brighter future, now.

“It will happen” he added, “I don’t have qualifications but bosses are looking for experience these days and that’s what I’ve got.”

Stephen also possesses an amazing willingness to work and cleaned Rathbone’s Trafford training base from top to bottom, recently. Along with fellow IN2WORK student Scott Morton (who is also aiming to work at the store and move into his own accommodation) we can’t think of anyone more deserving of employment than Stephen and will be following this journey closely.