Stay-at-home dad Thomas Montgomery, 23, of Raffles, found a lack of work experience made getting back to work difficult.

He had completed studies but wasn’t selling himself through his CV when he met with Gail Jenson, Riverside Employment and Training Officer.

The pair worked on Thomas’ CV and he developed confidence, learned interview techniques and applied for jobs online at Raffles Community Reach job club.

Thomas got a place on a short course, Introduction to the Construction Industry, giving him the work experience he was lacking.

He said: “I was delighted when this led to a full time job with ISS Facilities Service in garden maintenance.”

When the seasonal work came to an end, Thomas wasted no time in looking for work and was offered a job at The Dalston Fryer, a new business in Dalston.

He added: “Gail has been amazing, she was so supportive. It was great to have someone who believed in me and to help me identify opportunities that were out there.”