Originally from Yemen, 19-year-old Rashed Esmail has credited the South Eastern Trust’s H.O.P.
E (Holistic Outcomes through Positive Experiences) Service programme with encouraging his confidence and skill set for future employment roles within the Trust. Having made Northern Ireland his home back in 2022, Rashed was a successful applicant for the H.O.
P.E’s Jobstart Programme, funded through the Department for Communities (DfC), and has secured a nine month role with the team based at their Lisburn offices. Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.
Rashed explained how under the team’s tutelage he will be learning skills that will be tailored for career progression, “in healthcare". “The team here have been so helpful for me, so supportive. This is a good programme and I will be based here for nine months,” said Rashed.
“As English is my second language, I’m working with the H.O.P.
E team to improve that." Rashed has been working closely with H.O.
P.E Employment Support Co-ordinator Cathal Tolan developing a range of core skills in employability, creating a CV and what a working day could look like. Another successful applicant of the programme is Newtownards’ Natasha Gordon.
The 19-year-old has also secured a nine month Jobstart tenure with the H.O.P.
E team and praised the staff for their support. Advertisement Advertisement Natasha said: “W.