Kickstarting employment for young people

New opportunities for young people have been created at Beyond Housing as part of a £2 billion Government scheme aimed at tackling a rise in youth unemployment. The Kickstart programme has introduced funding for the creation of thousands of high-quality six-month work placements for young people. The placements are aimed at those aged between 16 and 24 years who are currently in receipt of universal credit and at risk of long-term unemployment, offering them a chance to receive training, gain workplace experience and develop new skills to improve future employment prospects.  

We have now recruited four young people as Grounds Maintenance Assistants to work with our open space teams in preparing and tidying grassed areas before and after cutting operations.  

Jordan, Kie, Chad and Rhys came into the programme from differing backgrounds and facing a range of barriers to employment. All shared an interest in the outdoors and are already enjoying their first placements.  

Emma Grimes, Employability Manager said: “The Kickstart programme helps us to offer excellent employment opportunities to young people who are most in need of a little support into employment.  

“We are very pleased to welcome our first four Kickstart scheme colleagues who are already delivering a responsive, visual service in a professional, courteous and helpful manner.”