Client Success: How Career Support Reunited Michael’s Family
At Môn Communities Forward (Môn CF), we know that finding a job isn’t just about a paycheck - it’s often about building a life and achieving personal dreams. For our recent client, Michael, securing full-time employment was the missing puzzle piece needed to bring his family back together.
Michael’s journey is a fantastic testament to what can be achieved with clear goals, dedicated hard work, and a willingness to overcome new challenges.
A Global Move with a Big Mission
After spending the last 12 years living in the Philippines with his wife, Michael decided it was time to move back home to Wales to be closer to his family.
Michael came to Môn CF with a wealth of impressive experience, including serving in the Armed Forces, running B&Bs abroad, and working as a mechanical engineer. He had his sights firmly set on returning to his engineering roots, specifically hoping to secure a role with major employers like the RAF, Babcock, or Affinity.
However, Michael was racing against the clock for a very deeply personal reason:
To sponsor his wife’s visa so she could move to Wales full-time and legally work, Michael needed to provide six months of continuous, full-time payslips.
With his wife only on a temporary visitor visa, the pressure was on to find the right job as fast as possible.
Overcoming the Digital Barrier
Despite being a highly skilled engineer, Michael faced a major modern hurdle: digital technology. He admitted that he really struggled with smartphones, navigating online application forms, and managing e-learning platforms.
His Môn CF Mentor stepped in to bridge the gap. During their sessions, they took things slow, demonstrating exactly how to access documents and navigate apps on his phone. Michael was a natural student - he quickly got the hang of it and left the sessions feeling vastly more confident in his IT skills.
Polishing the CV and Prepping for Success
Together, Michael and his Mentor gave his CV a complete modern makeover. Once it was ready, they spotted two ideal full-time mechanical engineering vacancies with Affinity and Babcock.
Michael applied for both and landed interviews with both companies! He was particularly excited about the role with Babcock at RAF Valley, having actually worked for them over 15 years ago.
To make sure he knocked the interview out of the park, Michael and his Mentor did intensive interview prep, focusing on:
Industry Specifics: Practicing how to talk about health and safety protocols, lone working, and specific engineering frameworks.
Professional Polish: Working on professional terminology to help Michael manage a habit of subconsciously swearing when he got relaxed.
The Result: A New Career and a Bright Future
The preparation paid off perfectly. Michael phoned his mentor immediately after his Babcock interview to share the amazing news - he had been offered the job on the spot!
Even after the job offer, Môn CF stayed by his side. Because the role is based at a high-security RAF base, the onboarding process was incredibly rigorous. His Mentor helped him navigate the complex online background checks, scan his ID documents, and complete his mandatory pre-employment e-learning modules.
Today, Michael is working full-time as a Mechanical Engineer for Babcock at RAF Valley, earning a fantastic starting salary of £32,000. He is officially on his way to securing those six months of payslips to bring his wife home permanently.
Looking Ahead
Michael is over the moon with how fast he found work and is an incredibly valued member of the Môn CF family. In fact, he’s already told us that as soon as his wife legally relocates, he will be referring her to Môn CF for employment support, too!
Reflecting on his time with us, Michael highlighted just how vital organizations like Môn CF are to the local community. We think the local community is pretty lucky to have driven, hard-working people like Michael back in it.
Are you looking to return to a past industry, polish your CV, or boost your digital skills? Contact Môn CF today to find out how our Mentors can support your goals.
