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