Business Skills, the employer training arm of Stourbridge College, has joined forces with Black Country District Jobcentre Plus on a new scheme designed to get young people vital work experience in preparation for finding jobs.
The Department for Work and Pensions is keen to find businesses interested in supporting young people who are looking for work and Business Skills has agreed to provide a placement for a volunteer for eight weeks. The get Britain working scheme is designed to equip young people with vital work experience skills.
Kim Babb, Director at Business Skills, said: “We have worked closely with Jobcentre Plus on a number of local initiatives – most of them involving employability training and helping people with training to get back into work or on the jobs market. This scheme is an ideal way of getting young people aged 18 to 24 and claiming Job Seekers Allowance some vital work experience which can be included on their CV. The volunteer was placed with our Estates Team at Stourbridge College’s Hagley Road Centre and gained a valuable insight into the world of work during their time with us.”
Pauline Jones, Account Manager, Jobcentre Plus Black Country District Office, said: “The Government’s aim is to ensure that employability is key – especially for young people in our region. Volunteers will continue to receive their Jobseekers Allowance, but at the same time will get experience of working in a real work environment, gaining skills that will help them in their search for a more permanent role.”
Business Skills has opened two Job Shops at Stourbridge College’s Hagley Road Centre and Advanced Technology Centre and, as a Black Country Chamber Patron, is working with them on their enterprise initiatives. Photo from left to right: Lynette Cutting, Principal at Stourbridge College, Chris Cooper, Black Country Enterprise and Pauline Jones, Account Manager, Jobcentre Plus.