Maximus is proud to be supporting thousands of people like Mo to find meaningful employment through our delivery of the Restart Scheme.
Forming part of the Government’s Plan for Jobs, the Restart Scheme is being delivered across South and East London, South and West Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire. Participants receive support to learn new skills, overcome barriers to work and gain access to vacancies to help them back into work.
After being made redundant in April 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mo Al-Saraj was referred to the Restart Scheme in Kingston upon Thames.
Mo, 46, had been struggling to find work throughout the pandemic, applying for hundreds of vacancies without receiving any response. With the help of our partners, Reed in Partnership, he was given tailored support and a range of skills sessions on our Employment Support hub.
Within six weeks of joining the Restart Scheme, Mo successfully secured a role as a Trainee Mobile Manager at leading retailer, Timpson.
Louis Jones, Area Development Manager at Timpson, described Mo’s progress:
“Mo is shining for his personality. He’s really taken to the job, his skill progression is really good, and he is enjoying working with customers one-on-one and having the freedom to give customers amazing service.
“The Restart Scheme is helping us bring in new, amazing colleagues with great personalities. We look for people that want to progress and move up the ladder, and we give them all the tools they need to be successful within the business.”
After being unemployed for 17 months during the pandemic, Mo is now enjoying being back in full-time employment, with the prospect to progress within Timpson.
Reflecting on his experience with the Restart Scheme, Mo said: “The Restart Scheme gave me the confidence to get back into work and I’m very thankful for that.”
Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP, commented:
“Supporting jobseekers like Mo to build new skills, gain vital confidence and unlock their potential is at the heart of our Restart Scheme.
“It’s brilliant to see providers like Maximus UK working closely with our fantastic DWP Work Coaches to support people across the country to break through the barriers holding back their work search, get on track and progress in their careers.”
