Kickstart Fair hailed a success as scores of young people find work at Leigh Park event
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Charity Community First held a Kickstart Fair at Heart of the Park Community Centre to promote the benefits of Kickstart placements.
The recruitment fair, co-organised with the Department for Work and Pensions, was open to young people aged 16 to 24 years old who are on Universal Credit and looking to gain work experience.
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Hide AdThe Kickstart scheme, launched earlier this year as part of the government’s ‘Plan for Jobs’ skills and employment programme, offers six-month jobs for young people who are at risk of long-term unemployment.
The places are funded by the government for 25 hours a week, plus employers get a grant of £1,500 for training and equipment, in order to help young people develop transferable skills and increase their chances of sustained employment.
Thousands of employers across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors have already signed up.
Nine local companies and organisations attended the fair in Leigh Park last Wednesday to showcase their opportunities.
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Hide AdTim Houghton, chief executive of Community First, said: ‘It was an opportunity for 16 to 24-year-olds who are out of work to meet some employers and hopefully find some local employment opportunities.
‘It was a really great morning, we helped a number of young people and we had a range of employers from charities to care sector to logistics plus other work, and also some fantastic volunteer vacancies too.
‘Plus there was a wrap around support service offered as well.’
Employers included: Adviser Business Solutions, Bourne Leisure, Active8 Minds After School Club, Southern Domestic Abuse Services, The Life College, Parkdean Resorts, Norse South East, Passionate About Care and Solent Youth New Futures.
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Hide AdNational Citizen Service was also providing support for CVs, cover letters and applications.
Community First offers ongoing careers guidance at its Havant Skills & Employment Hub, which is open every Thursday from 10am until midday 12pm at Heart of the Park.
For more go to cfirst.org.uk/, or call 0300 500 8085, alternatively email [email protected].
The News recently employed its first Kickstart placement, employing recent graduate and aspiring reporter Sophie Murray to work on the business desk.
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