Randstad hoping for success at National Employment Awards

Muhammad Taher, from Randstad Inhouse Services, the second largest recruitment company in the world, has made it onto the shortlist for the first annual Local Employment Partnerships (LEP) Awards.

The national awards, open to organisations across all sectors, recognise outstanding contributions made by employers, employees and partners involved in LEPs - the Governmentís new partnership approach to help disadvantaged jobseekers back into work.

Muhammad is in the running to win an award for success in ìOvercoming Barriers to Employment.î

Muhammadís success comes after a long struggle to find employment. Before securing a role with Randstad, Muhammad, 20, had been unemployed for 18 months. He grew up in Birmingham and left school with a few basic qualifications, but nothing which he felt would be of value to an employer.

He had applied for numerous jobs but found it difficult to even get a foot in the door without work experience.

Muhammad said: ìRandstad wasnít the first agency I came to, to help me look for work. There were many before, but almost all of them asked me for references and job experience, and I didnít have either.î

Muhammad applied to Randstad on the recommendation of a friend who knew they had signed a LEP. This time he heard good news: Randstad had found him a job, and he started two days after applying.

He started on a work trial fitting satellite navigation systems to luxury cars.

Muhammad says: ìI canít believe how much has changed from when I started looking for work. I enjoy my job and time has flown since I started six months ago. It shows that there are companies out there willing to give people like me a chance.î

Muhammad was nominated for the LEP Awards by Mark Leet, Process Manager at Randstad. Mark said: ìWeíre delighted Muhammad has been shortlisted for the prestigious award. His story is a great example of how employers can work together with Jobcentre Plus to help local people back into work. Muhammad has made great progress and is a valued member of the team.

Stephen Timms, Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform, said:
ìRandstad has demonstrated a commitment to their local community through Local Employment Partnerships. The LEP Awards recognise employers, such as Randstad, who go the extra mile to help some of the most disadvantaged jobseekers back into work, as well as celebrating the personal achievements of employees such as Muhammad Taher whose lives are being transformed through the scheme.î

Muhammad will find out whether he has won at an inaugural Awards presentation ceremony at the Brit Oval in London on 1 July. The winners will be selected by a judging panel, drawn from the public and private sector, and chaired by Stephen Timms.