Kickstarter Scheme
A government funded scheme has given opportunities to young people aged between 16 and 24 to be supported back into work. Aimed at people at risk of long-term unemployment and claiming Universal Credit by helping them to develop transferable skills it will increase their chances of sustained employment
Opening up opportunities
The Kickstart programme has opened up long-term employment opportunities for Blackburn based Jason Lee Riley. Through the kickstart scheme Jason has found a place on an apprenticeship programme to become a fully qualified Electrician.
Disillusioned Jason was fed up not being able to fulfil his life-long ambition of becoming an electrician despite having studied for a Level 3 qualification in Electrical. Not wanting to study any longer he was about to give up on his ambition until he met Newground Together Work Placement Officer, Jacky Mullaney at a Job Fair.
Originally, he spoke to her about getting a job in a warehouse, but through the conversation Jacky realised that he was about to throw away the two-years he had spent studying in a niche area.
Jacky was recruiting for Together Housing Group property care roles as part of the Kickstart Scheme. Jason interviewed for this and successfully secured a place on the Kickstart scheme. Through this role he spent time with many different trades including plumbers, joiners, plasterers, ground workers as well as electricians gaining an insight into the various areas of trade work.
As a diligent and hard worker Jason received a lot of praise for his good attitude to work, he impressed his team and tenants even commented on his professionalism. Through the praise and experience he gained Jason’s confidence in his own abilities grew and re-ignited his passion to become an electrician. As a result he began to work solely with the electricians’ team.
Newground Together Work Placement Officer, Jacky Mullaney said, “Jason was really pleased to find that he still wanted to become an electrician. A dream never dies – the Kickstart programme has given him a renewed energy to pursue a career as an electrician. I’m happy that I’ve been able to help him, placing young people into fulfilling work is what brings me joy.”
Through Jacky and Jason’s managers support he applied for an apprenticeship two months prior to his Kickstart placement ending and successfully secured this. At the end of the apprenticeship, he will become a fully qualified electrician.
Jason said, “My placement helped me get the skills and confidence to work with customers as well as giving me hands on experience to get the training and experience needed in many different trades. But at the end I knew that I still wanted to be an electrician.
Without Jackie and the support of Together Housing I would be moving from one job to another but now I have a renewed purpose. I highly recommend Newground Together – for anyone unsure of what they want to do in life there are many ways Newground Together can help.”