IRANIAN Hajar Unisy, who came to Britain two years ago with little English, overcame the language barrier, learnt new skills and landed a job at Newport's Big W.

After learning English at Charles Street Community Centre in Newport and completing the government's New Deal programme, Hajar is now checking stock in the warehouse and loading and filling shelves at the store, the first in Wales.

He attended a 13-week programme run by communications and training company Quadrant, as part of its contract with JobCentre Plus to manage New Deal training and work experience in the Newport area.

His mentor at Quadrant, Ted Hand, also helped him compile a CV and learn about presentation and general interview techniques.

Mr Hand said the course was run to help people back to work by equipping them with the relevant skills and building self-confidence.

"The course is about giving people the skills needed to find a job and also, importantly, the right attitude in helping them keep a job," he said.

"Hajar didn't realise the range of skills he had built up through completing basic army training and working in a carpet shop. I helped him identify these skills and promote himself to the best of his ability in his CV.

"We even had a mock interview before the official one at Big W. Hajar wasn't getting his skills and abilities across clearly enough and hadn't researched the company.

"I sent him away and by the end of the day he knew everything, down to Big W's share prices."

Big W operations manager Tim Kemp said: "He's brilliant, full of initiative and he is one in a million. He works non-stop all day and you almost have to force him to take his break.

"We have now been open for nine weeks and the response has been phenomenal.

"We have seen a lot more sales than expected and skilled and hard working staff are essential to our continuing success," Tim added.

Quadrant provides training in eight different employment areas. Hajar chose retail and IT and administration as his routeways.

The 'sector specific pathway' programme offers assistance to those seeking work within their chosen industry and Hajar received training on presentation skills, first aid, customer care, and health and safety in the workplace.