Applying for a new job can be a nerve racking experience, especially if it is one you’ve dreamed of doing from a young age. As soon as you see the advert the butterflies kick in as you dare to day dream of what it would be like to be successful. But all of a sudden you realise your CV needs updating, you’re not sure what you put in your application form and the interview nerves kick in.

This was the exact scenario that Maria Yasin found herself in when she saw an advert for PCSO in February 2017. Having been out of employment for a year and lacking self-confidence, Maria feared this would hinder her becoming a PCSO.

But thankfully for Maria help was at hand thanks to a new partnership between West Midlands Police and Jobcentre Plus. Maria had graduated from university in 2015 but found herself unemployed. While job hunting she was told about the new opportunity to join WMP – one that she was determined to make the most of.

Maria joined 15 other hopefuls who attended a course designed to give tips about how to write a good application and what to expect at the assessment centre which, was held a few weeks later.

“I really wanted to get the PCSO job and joined the course as it would help me learn about the role, policing and what I might face in the job,” said Maria.

“The course also helped me a lot to come out of my shell and be more confident in myself, particularly when I was around other people. I also brushed up my application and interview skills and met a great group of people.”

The good news is that the course was a success. Maria, or PCSO Yasin_31404 as she is also now known, joined the force in September last year. She is currently based on the Billesley neighbourhood team and is realising her dream of working for WMP.

Along with the other intakes from that recruitment drive Maria is part of a work-based professional development programme which will see them gain a Level Three qualification in Customer Services, designed to provide the skills needed to help them play a pivotal part in delivering a high quality service to local communities.

Kellsie joined the organisation as an Apprentice Forensic Laboratory Assistant in August 2016 and is completing an 18 month BTEC Diploma in Applied Science (Forensics Pathway) working towards a level 3 qualification.

To achieve this Kellsie attended weekly day release at college with work based assessments carried out by CSR, a specialist training organisation. As an apprentice with the Forensics Service, Kellsie also received vital support and guidance from colleagues in the lab which assisted to become an effective and valued member of the team.

As a result of her hard work and dedication, Kellsie is not only on track to achieve her apprenticeship qualification but has secured a permanent post as a Fingerprint Officer (Forensics) with WMP.

Kellsie said “Through my apprenticeship I have learned such a lot, gained experience will soon have a level 3 qualification aswel, which is a really good starting point for a career in Forensics. 

Getting the role as a Fingerprint Officer was a fantastic boost to my confidence and I am looking forward to learning more and using this to move my career forward”