Jodie Brown is raising a glass to a brighter future after beating unemployment by clinching a job with the UK's leading pub operator.

The mother-of-one, from Edgbaston, is hoping to build a successful, long term career at the city headquarters of pub and pub restaurant giant Mitchells & Butlers.

Jodie, aged 26, secured her job in HR administration after receiving support and advice from employment coach Brad Hastewell at the Harborne office of Pertemps Employment Alliance (PEA). She was referred to PEA's Employment Zone and Lone Parent initiatives by Jobcentre Plus.

PEA and Mitchells & Butlers are working in partnership to enable the company to recruit employees from backgrounds that reflect the Birmingham community and diversify its head office workforce.

Jodie had left her former job as a personal assistant when her daughter was born. After her daughter celebrated her first birthday, Jodie decided it was time to get back on the career ladder and turned to PEA for help.

She said: "I got on really well with Brad and he drew up a budget explaining about my benefits and how much better off I would be if I returned to work. I'm really enjoying working at Mitchells & Butlers, and there are great benefits for myself and my daughter. She is being looked after at a really good nursery."

"It's an excellent company to work for. I enjoy my work and there are training opportunities that I can pursue. I want to stay at the company long term if possible as there are a range of different departments and roles."

Jodie was successful in securing an initial three-month fixed-term contract. She completed it successfully and has been given a further three-month contract. Employment coach Brad Hastewell helped prepare Jodie for her interview by offering support and advice on subjects including interview techniques and preparing a CV.

Brad said: "Jodie is a very motivated individual who was keen to get back into sustainable employment so that she could start to build a career for herself and to benefit her family. Jodie is a shining example showing what hard work, determination and focus can do. She has deserved all the opportunities that she has been presented with and I've no doubts that she will be able to achieve whatever she wishes to do in her life."