What’s your name and position here at Strive?

I’m Gary Grant, Strive Training Outreach Liaison for the Croydon region. I’ve been part of the Strive family for about about 3 years now.

Tell us about your professional background.

Once upon a time I was working in Advice and Support services and also working for the Citizens Advice Bureau – I guess I must like helping people, which is what Strive Training is all about really!

What does a typical day look like for you?

Well, a typical day would be arriving at the Croydon office and preparing my resources/materials before heading off to the various South London Job Centres where I liaise with staff. I will spend time interviewing, giving advice and guidance, and then signing up people to our courses.

I really enjoy working with the Job Centre staff, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t learn something from the vast array of people that I meet.

What are you currently working on?

Currently I’m busy working on promoting Strive Training courses and developing job opportunities for learners. There’s a lot going on right now – it’s a very exciting time!

What are your biggest professional challenges?

I’d say it would be helping people individually realise their potential and get them back into employment by giving them the skills and training that is right for them. We want to help people to progress in their chosen career or in training and education.  

But the feeling of meeting someone who got into work with their help of one of our courses is just amazing – especially if they were initially hesitant or lacked the confidence that they needed to take that first step.

What’s your favourite movie of all time?

Oh that’s easy – it has to be ‘Rambo First Blood’. Obviously!

Which London attraction would you take on out of town friend to visit?

That’s a hard question because our great city has so many sites to see. I’d say the London Eye – that way you can see it all!

What do you want to focus on most over the next six months?

I want to focus in listening to our partners and learners, and making sure we are providing the right support. I’m going to be busy making partners and learners aware of all the things Strive Training can do to help them. There are so many people that we can help upskill and help progress – and I’m determined to make sure they know we’re here for them.