The Wrekin Housing Group says it is creating opportunities for at least 45 paid work placements over the course of the next 12 months.
Young people aged between 16–24 years, who are currently claiming Universal Credit, can access the opportunities as part of the government’s Kickstart programme.
The programme, launched as part of the COVID-recovery plan, provides funding to create job placements with employers of all sizes.
Placements are being offered across all parts of the Wrekin organisation, from customer services to catering, maintenance to money matters, and care to communications.
The six-month-long placements provide applicants the opportunity to gain real-world work experience, learn new skills, grow together, and ultimately make a difference to people’s lives.
Opportunities are based in Telford, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Wombourne, Stafford, and Newcastle-Under-Lyme.
Jan Lycett, executive director of Business Solutions, said: “We are delighted to have had our Kickstart programme approved, and we look forward to welcoming young people into our organisation to learn new skills and gain work experience.
“As a major employer, we are pleased to be able to offer these opportunities and see these placements as potential stepping stones towards apprenticeships and permanent employment.”
Read more on the government’s Kickstart programme:
- Sovereign pledges to kickstart employment for 40 young people
- Ongo launches project to help hundreds into employment
- Ongo celebrates community centre anniversary, boosts job prospects for young people
Ben Vaughan, Employer manager for the DWP in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, said: “We are really excited that the Kickstart vacancies with our partners at The Wrekin Housing Group are now available for our work coaches to promote with their younger jobseekers.
“They will be creating roles across Telford, Shrewsbury, and Oswestry and offering a broad range of positions throughout the group.
“This will allow many younger jobseekers with different career aspirations and varied skillsets to gain their first paid work experience.
“They have also taken a very innovative approach to the scheme by creating a number of home-working vacancies that will allow eligible jobseekers with suitable connectivity to participate in the scheme from their own home, increasing opportunity for those living in rural areas and during the lockdown period.”
Image: Former Wrekin Housing Group apprentice Jake is now in a full time ICT role
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