Getting It Right for Young People in Employment
17 May 2012 | Birmingham
‘Youth – the time when you know everything except how to make a living’
when you were aged
Think back… to
16
The writing is on the wall
Stand Up – Sit Down !
It’s All About You! YouYou
You
YouYou
YouYou
YouYouYou
Actively Seeking Work!The Challenges Young People Face
• Fear of failure• Moving around
makes it harder• Help with
Application forms and CVs
• Experienced People – May apply!
• Rejection
• Stigma
• Criminal Record
Being homeless, out of work and dealing with feelings
• I felt like I was trapped. I am scared that if I find a job and have to leave – I wont get the support I need.
• I did not know how to go about doing a CV let alone finding a job.
• I was broke and really wanted to earn money. I was isolated from my friends. I got obsessed wanting to find a job and applied for anything.
• I went for interview after interview and still got nothing. I felt useless.
• There is so much competition out there. I felt stupid and a waste of space.
• I felt like I was sponging off the state. I hated it and hated myself.
• Work was the last thing on my mind.
Help me to become independentWhat issues are important to young people?
• N.F.A. (No Fixed Abode)
• Paying Back• I want to work• Money, money,
money• Downward spiral
Working 9 to 5 !What helped young people?
• Volunteering• A foot on the ladder• Help with travel
costs/ clothes• Benefits Advisors
who are knowledgeable
• Believe in me
How you as professionals can make a difference
to young peoples’ experience
The small things really do make a difference
Employment
• Help me access the resources I need to find a job; internet, papers, travel expenses for interviews, clothes for interviews
• Try to understand if I have a child – it is going to be even harder for me. Help me find childcare and access to funds to assist with paying for it
• If you work at a Job Centre – ‘be’ bothered and believe me that I want to work.
• Help me fill in application forms, update my CV and prepare for interviews – not all young people have these skills
• If you are an employer – try different ways of interviewing. A five minute open conversations and it being more informal – because if I am less nervous – you will get the best out of me.
• If you are my support worker, encourage me to apply for jobs – don’t let me do nothing.
• Don’t just send me a rejection letter – give me some feedback so I can get it right next time.
• Let me volunteer when you have vacant posts. This helps you and helps me get the experience that I need.
• Young people need help to prepare for interviews. Job Clubs are great to help you find work but when you get to the interview it is nerve-racking. Mock interviews would help.
• If you are not sure about hiring me – give me a two week trial.
Employment
The NYRG Super Top TipsThe essential guide to employment and young people
• Be supportive when I start work• Help me to motivate myself!• When starting work I need to know
my rights and responsibilities• Provide us with as many
opportunities as possible• Help me with the paperwork
Q&A
One thing I am going to take awayand do as a result of today is…
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It’s the little things that make a difference
Getting it Right for Young People