The Employability Trust supports young people who are struggling to find employment, looking to gain practical work experience, or are daunted by the world of work and don’t know where to start on their progression toward employment.
Rachel Jackson a Progression Coach with DurhamWorks explains more. “We were looking at putting some paid work experience in place for young people who wanted to enter the world of work.
It was negotiated between DurhamWorks and The Employability Trust to put on 10 weeks of paid work experience placements, working at the Employability Trust. This involved working in a warehouse where the young people could get 20 hours of national minimum wage.”
Progression Coach Ross Leyland added, “So for us to offer paid work experience, it has been extremely valuable, especially for the young people, I think it has massively helped. Plus, It’s been really good working with The Employability Trust.”
Issac one of the work placements said “I’ve always wanted to work. Ever since I’ve been in school, I’ve always wanted to work and now I’ve had the opportunity and I’m enjoying it. I’ve got hands-on experience with the whole warehouse.”
Talking about Issac’s experience Bill Marley, CEO & Founder of The Employability Trust said “Oh, it’s been brilliant. Issac told me that people don’t realise how difficult it is sitting in your bedroom all the time. But he’s had an opportunity here to come and do work and he’s loving it!”
Bill added “But that’s the reason why I set up The Employability Trust 15 years ago. I wanted to do, help people who had been less fortunate than others. If a young person comes through the door here every day, we’ll help them get into work, and to date we’ve helped over 480 people.”
Blayne, another of the DurhamWorks placements spoke highly of the entire placement “I am really enjoying it, can’t thank you DurhamWorks enough. I am happy to have a bit money in my pocket and the socialising with other people has helped me a lot.”
Anne Marie Hudspeth, Operations Manager added “The young people are here to learn about employment, but it’s also about lifestyle choices. It’s understanding and making lifestyle choices to enable them to find employment.”