November 8, 2013 2.39 pm This story is over 124 months old

First Job Club opens in Lincoln

Free jobseekers course: Lincoln’s first CAP Job Club has officially opened its doors, offering a free eight-week course in practical job-seeking skills.
The Lincoln CAP Job Club Team at Newlife. (left to right) Club Manager Michael Darbandi, Centre Manager Simon Hore and advisor Beth Lloyd. Photo: Emily Norton for The Lincolnite.

Lincoln’s first Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Job Club opened its doors on November 8, offering a unique free space for job seekers in the area — the only one of its kind in a 30-mile radius.

Since launching the clubs nationally in March 2013, CAP says it has seen one in every seven attendees find work by the end of the course.

The Lincoln arm is run from and funded by Newlife Church on Newland, in association with ACTS Trust.

The free eight-week programme, available to all job seekers, will address the practical skills associated with the job search and provide a helping platform for those who are motivated in finding employment, but consistently meeting barriers.

The programme consists of interactive sessions with a helpful planning and guide book, one-to-one meetings and coaching sessions with other job seekers in the area.

CAP Job Club group meetings will take place at the Newlife Church on Newland, Lincoln. Photo: Emily Norton for The Linolnite

CAP Job Club group meetings will take place at the Newlife Church on Newland, Lincoln. Photo: Emily Norton for The Linolnite

Those enrolling on the course will find initial sessions will cover useful advice in time management, goals and personal profiles.

Meetings will then move on to interview techniques, CV writing and other beneficial skills.

Lincoln CAP Club Manager Michael Darbandi said: “We are not necessarily giving people skills training in terms of literacy and numeracy for example. It’s the practical aspect of actually finding a job.”

Michael Darbandi is a Business Management graduate and is the General Manager of Revolution Bar in the city centre.

Speaking about his position in recruitment, he said: “I carry out interviews and recruitment processes for people who have never had a job before to experienced candidates that have been in the industry for years.

“We are not necessarily saying that people are doing it wrong”, Michael continues.

“Places like the Job Centre are doing a really great job, but because they are so inundated with people they don’t have the time to give them personally.

“For them it’s about ticking boxes. For us it’s about the person and working with them on an individual basis, building their confidence, making them believe in themselves and drawing out the skills they already have.”

In Darbandi’s recent column for The Lincolnite, he addressed a need for hope in the job searching process.

“Potentially people do think that we look at things through rose-tinted glasses. Actually, as Christians, we believe we are the hope of the world. The main thing is we have seen it, if you have hope and vision it can happen.

“We are certainly not exclusive, everyone is welcome. The best way that we model out our faith is by selflessly giving. That doesn’t mean we will only help you if you come to church, we want to help everyone.

“I am not promising people jobs, I am promising them a helping hand to realise their own potential and change their mindset.”

There will be a Drop-in Centre open from the Newlife Courtyard every Friday between 10.30am and 12pm, where anyone wanting to know more can speak to one of the team.

Anyone wanting to find out more, or to sign up for the free eight-week course can do so by contacting Michael on [email protected], or visit the CAP Job Club website.