Luke had attended a number of job interviews via the Job Centre; however, none had resulted in employment. Fortunately one day whilst accessing the Job Centre, he met with Five Lamps YEI Support Worker, Anne Rookes.
Anne advised Luke that Five Lamps currently have a project where they are supporting 15-29 year olds progress into long term training, employment and education.
Each young person is supported individually according to their needs, however the support can include; help with interview techniques, support with training, travel expenses to interviews and also financial support with interview clothing.
Luke welcomed the support and quickly began working with Anne Rookes to identify his long term career goals, which was eventually to join the Army. Luke attended North Shore Academy, achieving Travel and Tourism Level 1 and a BTEC Level 1 Construction, Fire and Rescue. Luke also attended Stockton Riverside College, achieving both Maths and English Level 2.
Anne contacted MPC Teesside (Military Preparation College) and an appointment was made for Luke to speak to staff about his long term career goals. Unfortunately it was identified that this wasn’t the right time to pursue his career within the Army and Anne continued to support Luke to identify different job opportunities.
After visiting local supermarkets and Café/bars, Luke successfully secured employment at the café in Billingham. Luke is very happy with his new employment and is extremely popular with the staff there. Although, Luke has now gained employment, Anne still continues to keep in touch with Luke, offering information, advice and guidance.
Luke said;
“Without the support of Anne and the Youth Employment Initiative Project, I would most definitely still be visiting the local job Centre.”
The Tees Valley Pathways and Routeways programmes form part of the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI). This is part-funded by the European Social Fund through the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England.
The program aims to support young people across the Tees Valley aged 15-29 who are unemployed and/or not in educations, employment or training until the end of July 2020.
YEI can also offer support for Business Start Ups, if you would like to find out more, please contact the YEI team on; 01642 753511.