Job Trials
Jobtrials Blog

Liz Cook

Project Manager and founder of JobTrials

The idea for JobTrials was developed as a result of my personal experience. I was unsuccessful in many interviews being over qualified for some jobs or having lack of recent experience for the jobs I really wanted, due to having a career break to care for my young family. This was very frustrating, especially being unable to access Job Centre Plus employment support schemes because my husband is in full time employment.

JobTrials is a Community Interest Company with the main social objective of reducing unemployment in Lancashire. The company is designed to work for and benefit local communities by providing work experience and working interviews to adults.

Work experience is often undervalued as being cheap (free) labour. JobTrials is promoting it as being worthwhile and necessary for people to gain references and improve career prospects. We partner with local organisations to provide support to all adults wanting to work.

We also promote working interviews rather than formal interviews. People should have the opportunity to show employers how well they can work instead of being grilled by managers sat behind a desk.

JobTrials is a member of the Community and Business Partners, SELNET, NCVO and a number of local employer forums and networks.