National Housing Federation: Partnership employment scheme helps over 1,000 young people back into work

Tuesday, 16 March 2010 12:00 AM

A unique partnership between environmental charity Groundwork and the National Housing Federation has helped over 1,000 young people into jobs as part of a scheme to help the country's youth back into employment.

With support from the Government's Future Jobs Fund the two organisations have been working with young people aged 18 - 24 who have been out of work for over six months.

Referred to the scheme by their Jobcentre Plus advisers, the young people are then provided with 26-week work placements with either Groundwork or the Federation, which builds their skills and boosts their ability to find future employment.

Communities across the UK are also benefiting from these new jobs, which include a range of 'green collar' positions that make neighbourhoods better places to live. Typical roles include: energy efficiency advisers, neighbourhood caretakers, land management workers, gardeners and recycling workers.

Tarik Hamis, 23, has recently found work as a communications assistant at the North London headquarters of affordable housing provider, Circle Anglia. Tarik had been in and out of work for several years, but found himself jobless and homeless at the start of the year, until he secured his Future Jobs Fund placement in Circle Anglia's Group Communications team.

He said: "When I found out I got the job, it was a great feeling not only knowing I was going to start working, but that I could start planning ahead and get on with my life.

"I think the Future Jobs Fund is a great idea to get young people into employment. This placement will give me a chance to learn new skills and gain new experience that will hopefully lead to opportunities in a similar role.

"Now that I've started my placement, my future is definitely looking brighter. I feel better about myself now I'm doing something productive that I enjoy, and hopefully with a steady income I'll be able to find some permanent accommodation. I'm working with a great team, and I am going to make the best out of this opportunity and learn as much as I can about Marketing and Communications."

Charlotte Podesta, 20, managed to secure a job with Groundwork working in an administrative role in her hometown of West Leigh after being unemployed for over a year. She said:

"When you've almost lost hope of ever finding a job, it can be hard to motivate yourself to actually put the effort into your job search.

"I found a stepping stone with the Future Jobs Fund. The roles available aren't what you'd expect; they're positions that hold responsibility. It has inspired me to never give up with my ambitions; I have the right resources and motivation now to be capable of anything that I want to achieve."

The Groundwork/Federation Future Jobs Fund partnership aims to provide over 6,000 jobs for young people by March 2011.

Jim Knight Minister of State for Employment & Welfare Reform, commented: "I am delighted that Groundwork and the National Housing Federation are Backing Young Britain by using the Future Jobs Fund to employ 1000 green workers across the country.

"As well as gaining experience as energy efficiency advisers, land management and recycling workers, young people will be able to gain important qualifications giving them a better chance of securing their next job. The community also wins with valuable work done to the local environment."

National Housing Federation Chief Executive David Orr said, "Housing associations have quickly established themselves as employment generators within their local communities - providing the skills, jobs and support people desperately need to get back into work during these tough economic times.

"Being based right in the heart of their communities, housing associations can offer these vital opportunities to people on their doorstep. And their close and long-standing relationship with their tenants means they know what jobs and training are needed most and how best to help people back into work in their local area."

Groundwork Chief Executive Tony Hawkhead added: "If you lack experience and skills, it's very difficult to get your foot in the door - and young people were hit particularly hard by the recent economic downturn. These jobs are helping them to gain confidence and improve their abilities, and as a result there is a lot of interest as the take up for our employment programme shows.

"With this support from the Future Jobs Fund, we're able to invest in our young people and leave a lasting legacy, that creates both places that are cleaner and greener, and people that are confident and able to use their abilities to benefit the UK for decades to come."

ENDS

For further information contact:

For National Housing Federation
Nick Foley, Press Officer, National Housing Federation
T: 0207 067 1028
E: nickf@housing.org.uk

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