Llanelli man carves out his future in finance

John King, 32 from Llanelli, was a self-employed carpenter for a number of years. In 2013 John made the hard decision to look for work as the stress of being self-employed as an independent contractor became too difficult.

During 2013, John was referred to South West Workways by Llanelli Jobcentre Plus. He was keen to try anything and was open to suggestions. He worked closely with his Mentor, Jake, and was put forward to gain his CSCS card, which would open up lots of construction opportunities. John’s Mentor quickly sourced a vacancy with Green Deal Energy Assessors, based in Swansea, and John was given the opportunity of a temporary job opportunity and access to the training to become a qualified energy assessor. At the end of the temporary Job opportunity, John was offered a full time vacancy, where he worked for 4 years until the company terminated.

With the prospect of job seeking again, John and an old school friend, Ryan Stanton, who he worked with at Green Deal, decided to branch out and establish their own claims company. At the beginning of 2017 John and Ryan opened their own shop in Llanelli Town Centre, namely Cymru Claims. Their aim is to change people’s perception of claim companies; the shop provides a place where people can pop in for a no obligation PPI check.

Now open 6 months, the boys have helped lots of customers reclaim thousands of pounds back for clients from a number of high street banks.

John King said “I was extremely grateful to Workways for the supporting me, after being self-employed for years I didn’t know where to turn. My Mentor re-built my confidence, helped me find work and still touches base with me to check on my journey. I am so happy now, we opened the shop earlier in the year, and we have gone from strength to strength. Ryan and I have so much job satisfaction from helping people reclaim what they’re owed. Thank you Workways.”

Cllr Emlyn Dole, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council and Lead Member for Economic Development, said: “I’m delighted that Workways was able to support John when he decided that he wanted to move from self-employment into employment.

“He was able to regain his confidence, gain qualifications and a full-time job, and and now four years later has set up in business with a friend. John’s is a real success story and it’s great that he appreciates Workways’ contribution to what he has achieved.”

Workways+ is backed by £7.5m from the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government. The project is led by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council in collaboration with Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion Councils.