As part of the recent DWP Kickstart Scheme – which ran from mid 2020 to the end of 2021 – we were proud to provide placements for a number of young people who were experiencing barriers to employment.

As part of their placement with us, we worked hard with them to build their confidence and skills in a wide range of areas, and to provide them with the support they needed to explore their future options.

We now employ one of these young people in a full-time role. She is a highly skilled and valued member of our team.

We were sorry to see the Kickstart Scheme closed in 2021, with no subsequent plan in place, but we continue with our plans to offer disadvantaged young people on the Island training and work experience.

Working within a real work setting and with a wide variety of work skills can, when offered with careful support and guidance, provide a basis for developing a young person’s confidence, sense of direction and purpose.

We believe very strongly in this approach and value working in this way.

If you believe you, or someone you know, would benefit from this, please talk to your careers advisor or job coach to discuss this with us.