Essex Construction boss David rebuilds his career with help from Remploy

Southend-based project manager David Grovestock is rebuilding his career and taking charge of multi-million-pound contracts again thanks to help from Remploy.

The 41-year-old is currently overseeing a 15 million housebuilding project in the exclusive north London suburb of Hamstead and when that finishes he will not be short of more work.

Companies from as far away as Antigua in the Caribbean are already vying for his services but three years ago the future did not look so bright.

David, from Southend, had been working as a project manager for American businessman Michael Bloomberg, the current Mayor of New York City, on a 28 million refit project in Finsbury Square in London but in 1994 he had a nervous breakdown.

He said: ìI was working 100 hours-a-week which left me very vulnerable and something had to give.

ìI made myself very ill and it took a long time to get well again but eventually I got stronger, began looking for work and last autumn I contacted Remploy after seeing a leaflet for the company in my local Jobcentre Plus.î

David underwent a vocational development programme with Remploy, the countryís leading provider of employment services for disabled people.

The programme was designed to boost his self-confidence and he was given help with compiling a new CV and looking for jobs as well as being supported in obtaining a NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health.

He soon found his first job for two years, as a project manager for construction firm Mansell, working on a 5 million new-build of Watford Grammar School For Boys, and then moved on to his current job with builders Fitzpatrick.

He said: ìRemploy advised me to put my CV on the internet and since then Iíve been inundated with offers of work. Among the offers Iím seriously considering is one of a job in Antigua.

ìEmployment advisors Gillian Austen and Carol Henderson at Remploy helped me no end, encouraging me to focus on applying for jobs again and to follow the examples of role models.

ìThey also helped me take stock of my life, to identify what my priorities were and where I was going so I am really grateful for their support as well as their practical help.î

Gillian, who is based in Southend, said Davidís success was a good illustration of how Remploy was able to help people who have widely differing barriers into work and who are looking for mainstream jobs at all levels.

She added: ìWe were delighted to help David and are glad his career is taking off again.î