This year, Services for Young People (SfYP) worked with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and the sustainable energy and facilities management company Equans, to provide two week-long work experience and training programmes for 11 young people.
SfYP offers a range of employability programmes which include work experience opportunities to help young people make a successful transition into adulthood. Our practitioners work with young people who are not in education, employment or training, giving them all the support they need to fully engage in the programmes and then use the knowledge, skills and confidence they gain to secure paid employment that’s right for them.
A crucial part of this work is linking the young people with employers such as Equans who run the Kickstart Work Experience Programme as part of their social value commitment to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council. The initiative supports young people by providing practical experience and qualifications so they can confidently apply for jobs in the construction industry.
During the most recent programme, five young people worked with Equans professionals on a real project, redecorating a community hall for residents in supported housing. The programme combined hands-on tasks, such as surface preparation and painting, with essential training, including asbestos awareness, manual handling, and a Level 1 health and safety course. These qualifications were funded by Equans and enabled the young people to progress towards obtaining their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards.
The young people also took part in an industry insight session, focused on CV development and job application skills, and providing tailored advice to improve their employability. Several of the young people who took part have since secured their CSCS cards and gained employment in the industry.
All the young people who took part demonstrated commitment and enthusiasm, and feedback from Equans and the residents was overwhelmingly positive. The resounding success of the initiative demonstrated its value to all involved and paved the way for future programmes in the area.
If you are a Hertfordshire employer who would be willing to offer work experience to young people in your area, or if you are looking to recruit a young person, we can help. Please get in touch via our employer contact form and we will match you with young people we are working with.
To find out more about how we support young people into the workplace, please visit our Recruitment and Careers Hub.
Find out more about SfYP’s work experience and work related learning services for schools and colleges here: Work-related learning and work experience.
