We have recently set up a Volunteering/Work Experience project that is giving young people the hands on skills and experience they need to get into work. For over 20 years our very successful Employability Project has helped Hundreds of young people find employment and 1000’s of internal and external accreditation’s have been completed. Young people have also received support, advice and guidance around a number of personal issues including health, housing, money and anything else that could be barrier to the young person progressing. We found that many of the young people accessing the service were lacking actual work experience and although they had enhanced their CVs doing training, and had built on their confidence using the service they were, still being turned down for some jobs due to no experience.
As a project we thought the only way these young people could gain the experience they needed was to be given the chance to take part in some volunteering or work experience. We have worked tirelessly to get businesses on board who can offer work experience to young people on an adhoc basis. We work closely with the employer to match a suitable young person to the role and can provide or fund any additional training that is required. The support continues whilst the young person is on placement and evaluations take place once the placement has ended.
Current employers who are on board that have successfully hosted or are currently hosting a young person include: Newcastle Cat & Dog Shelter, CT Furniture, Recyk y bike, McKenzie’s Newsagents, Active Northumberland, Pegasus Project, Real Deal Plus, East Bedlington Community Centre and Dementia Matters. Silx have also meetings set up with other organisations in Construction, Admin and Warehousing to be able to offer more placements very soon.
The young people that have taken part in volunteering have gotten so much out the placements, not only do they now have experience and a reference to put on their CVs but also have more confidence when applying for employment. We will keep you all updated on the progress of the young people on their placements but in the meantime please check out Danielle’s Story here: https://www.silxteen.com/employment-success-for-danielle/ and Sinead’s Story here: https://www.silxteen.com/award-success-for-sinead/
If you are an employer and would like to be involved in our volunteering/Work experience programme please contact us 01670351356 or email silxteen@aol.com