Community Links deliver a Skills Bootcamp in Fibre Engineering.

Community Links deliver a Skills Bootcamp in Fibre Engineering. Working with major utilities and telecoms employers across the Northwest, we engage with unemployed and economically inactive candidates and support them to achieve relevant, industry standard qualifications.  All learners who complete the course are offered interviews with employers  for roles including Telecoms Operative, Fibre Engineer, Cabling Operative.

 Learner Background

Name: Harry
Course: Telecoms Engineering Skills Bootcamp
Start Date: November 2025
Tutor: Nigel Tomkins and Anthony Allen

Summary:
Harry joined our Telecoms Skills Bootcamp with the aim of transitioning into a new industry and beginning a new career. During the course, he felt comfortable enough to open up to fellow learners and tutors about his personal circumstances. He shared that, due to financial difficulties, he had experienced periods of food insecurity and had gone without food for three days.

Identified Challenge

After the learner disclosed aspects of his situation to peers and tutors, the Designated Safeguarding Deputy met with Harry in a private room to discuss his circumstances in more detail. During this conversation, it was identified that Harry was living in temporary accommodation and experiencing significant financial hardship, including difficulties paying rent and accessing food. Harry explained that he had become accustomed to not eating regularly and therefore did not initially view this as a major concern. However, the DSD on duty clarified that becoming used to a situation does not mean it is acceptable or should be considered normal, particularly where health and wellbeing are concerned.

Community Links’ Response

With our experience working across some of the most deprived communities in the Northwest, Community Links have experience in supporting people who have multiple barriers to employment and who suffer from issues including poverty, depression and homelessness.  We provide all learners with access to free fruit and water throughout the course.  Additionally all learners are made aware of our Food Bank, where they can also access basic food and personal items such as toothpaste, shower gel etc.

Following this discussion with Harry, the Community Links team acted promptly to provide support. Harry explained that he found it difficult to access food banks that mainly offer tinned goods, as he did not have adequate facilities to cook meals or to wash and dry the utensils required. In response, another learner informed the Community Links team that they had donated a slow cooker to Harry to help him prepare hot, nutritious meals.

Building on this support, the Community Links team visited a local supermarket and purchased two bags of ready meals and suitable ingredients that could be prepared using the slow cooker. Harry also mentioned that his room was experiencing issues with dampness, so the team provided dehumidifiers to help improve his living conditions.

Outcome

As a result of the timely intervention and coordinated support from the DSD and the Community Links team, Harry received immediate practical assistance to address his basic needs. Access to appropriate food and cooking facilities helped improve his nutrition and wellbeing, while the provision of dehumidifiers contributed to safer and more comfortable living conditions. In addition, the support offered to Harry reinforced that his circumstances were taken seriously and that help was available. This intervention reduced immediate safeguarding risks and promoted stability, dignity, and improved engagement with learning.

Impact and Reflection

This case highlights Community Links’ proactive approach to supporting learners beyond the classroom. Our team recognises that personal challenges such as financial hardship can directly affect learning outcomes.

By offering compassionate and practical support, Community Links helps ensure that every learner has the opportunity to succeed — regardless of their circumstances.

Community Links Operations Manager, Steve Woods “We are here to support all our learners, not just with education and qualifications but with health and well-being.  Skills Bootcamps allow us to provide this engagement with the community and we hope to be able to support Harry with his journey into a new career and independence.”