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Over the last ten weeks the job hunters have been put through their paces. They've gained some work experience and gone through real and mock interviews, but it hasn’t all gone smoothly.

A few months ago forty-five year old Tim was made redundant from a butter packing factory. He’d worked there for 12 years and was unsure about what he wanted to do next. He’d enjoyed his experience as a volunteer working in a local forest and had also applied for a retraining grant. This week, we caught up with him on his training course as he learned how to operate heavy machinery such as fork-lift trucks and diggers. However, he was finding it more difficult than he’d expected. Will he pass his test and gain the qualifications he needs?

Sports science graduate Gareth was unsure whether to train as a teacher or retrain as sports physiotherapist. Both career paths will need further study and he’s trying to gain experience to give him an edge. He’s now spent half a term working as a teaching assistant at Penyrheol Comprehensive and is continuing with his sports massage course in his spare time.

Things are looking up for fifty-five year old Alan. A few weeks ago we saw him being grilled at a job interview with a technology company. The company has since been in touch and they have called him back for a second interview in the New Year. In the meantime he’s networking and looking for other opportunities.

Mum-of-three Gemma wants to work in a bar but needs to fit around partner Steve’s shifts. Gemma’s already impressed the manager of the Plough and Harrow pub and he’s offered Gemma some part time work over Christmas. But she needs to find more regular work in order to make ends meet for her young family. So, she’s been dropping off her CV to some other pubs in her area. And Gemma’s luck may be in - one of her local pubs is hiring at the moment and she’s hoping they may offer her some regular shifts behind the bar.

Dwayne Landeg

Ten weeks ago, when we first met eighteen-year-old Dwayne, he seemed certain that he wanted to become a chef. He had never been in a proper kitchen, so X-Ray arranged for him to do some work experience at Patricks’ with Rooms – a five star restaurant in Mumbles.

Dwayne was doing well until he decided to leave early on his first shift and called in sick the following day. But chef and owner Patrick Walsh agreed to give him one more chance and asked Dwayne to work three days over a weekend at the kitchen.

ÌýAnd on his second day disaster struck when Dwayne overslept and turned up for his shift hour and a half late. This time Patrick sent him home for good. But just as one door closed, another opened for Dwayne. He was offered a placement at another city centre restaurant, although he only turned up for one shift. So, is that it for Dwayne’s dreams of being a chef?

Tune in to find out more about the progress of Dwayne and all our job hunters.