Solihull Council’s Youth Trailblazer programme has partnered with Welcome Change community interest company (CIC) to offer work experience for young people and help them develop essential skills for the workplace.
Run by the Council’s Employment and Skills Team, the programme encourages young people aged 18-21 who are out of work and education to kickstart their career and gain transferable skills through work placements. Welcome Change CIC, which operates a community hub, took on Demi as a support worker, a role which has continued after the 12-week paid placement had finished.
Prior to the placement, Demi had experience working in a care home kitchen which wasn’t forward facing. To help her develop her people skills, the team matched her with Welcome Change CIC. Demi thrived in the new role, running kids’ clubs and supporting community events. The role also allowed her to pick up first aid training and a Level 2 Food and Hygiene certificate.
Demi shared how rewarding her experience with Welcome Change CIC has been:
“Working at Welcome Change has been the best experience of my life. When I got offered to join the team after the placement ended, I was so shocked and happy as I knew the job wasn’t guaranteed. It feels great to start a career in community work!”
Victoria Shread from Welcome Change CIC shared:
“Watching Demi grow in confidence has been so rewarding for us. She has got stuck into everything that we do and has become an incredibly valued part of our team. The Council’s Employment and Skills Team have offered great support for us. The financial contribution of £5,000 has mostly funded Demi’s wages for the 12-week placement. It helped us see how we can expand and improve our support with an extra staff member. That’s why we were able to put some funding to keep Demi on as a part-time staff. We’re so proud to be a part of this great programme.”
Cllr Heather Delaney, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Business and Skills, said:
“It is great that local employers are so committed to creating career opportunities. The Youth Trailblazer programme has been a great opportunity for businesses and voluntary organisations to be an integral part of the community they serve through offering meaningful work experience to our young people. Welcome Change CIC are just one of our many employers who have done a brilliant job of welcoming young people into work through building the essential skills for work. Young people just need a chance to show you what they can do! I’d encourage employers to get in touch with our team and be part of the youth employment support solution in the borough.”
To find out more about the programme, email youthtrailblazer@solihull.gov.uk.