Ablaze are launching an Employment and Skills Programme in partnership with The West of England Combined Authority and South Gloucestershire Council to deliver the Mayoral Priority Skills Fund. The project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to meet current priority skills gaps in the region.
The programme offers tailored support to young people aged 16-25 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Ablaze will be working with those living in communities that are historically under-served and lacking in social collateral. They may be navigating insecure employment or grappling with low self-confidence after leaving education without minimum qualifications.
The programme provides a fully supported pathway aimed at changing mindsets, fostering positive growth and building key skills to propel these young individuals toward a brighter future.
Ablaze are looking for businesses in South Gloucestershire and Bristol who can play a key part in this transformation by offering a two-week paid work placement to a young person.
The Need
"It's indicated that the pandemic set back social mobility by a decade. Wellbeing among young people is at an all-time low."
"Research shows spending time unemployed under the age of 23 lowers life satisfaction, health status, job satisfaction and wages for more than twenty years later."
"After the events of the last few years, with disruption to education, limited in-person job opportunities and economic uncertainties, young people are requiring extra support to transition into employment."
"In more rural or suburban areas like South Gloucestershire, young people have fewer opportunities for work experience, training and a more limited range of social influence."
The Programme
1. Workshops
Young people attend a series of 8 workshops delivered by Ablaze, building vital skills, improving wellbeing and supporting professional development.
2. Work Placement
Young people enrol on a 2-week paid work placement. The experience of working in a business allows them to cross the bridge between learning and practice.
3. Networking
Young people are supported to network with a variety of businesses, education and training providers, exploring the progression pathways open to them.
4. Mentoring
For a minimum of 6 months, each young person will work with a mentor, helping them to build confidence and resilience, reflect on their learnings and discuss their best next steps.
How your business can help
We're looking for businesses who can provide a two-week work placement for a young person, paid at the national living wage of £11.44/hour.
We are currently looking to secure placements to take place in May and June 2024.
Work placements can be flexible. For example, the full 10 working days may be delivered part-time over 3 or 4 weeks. This may be implemented in cases where a flexible timetable aids the your business, but also where part-time working better supports the young person and their needs.
How it will work
"Ablaze will prepare the young person for their placement and support them throughout their time working with you."
"You will assign a host manager for the placement from your team."
"The host manager will attend a training session delivered by Ablaze and will work with us to structure an effective placement."
"We will also brief your assigned host manager on the young person and support with resources to ensure you both get the most from your time together."
"We will ask you to complete a feedback form at the end so the programme can be evaluated."
The value for young people
"Growth in confidence in themselves and their potential."
"Discover or confirm their future pathways and how to progress."
"Feel empowered to make informed choices about their future."
"Ability to make sense of training opportunities and their value."
"Better able to work on overcoming barriers to progression."
"Discovery of how to network effectively."
"Able to complete successful job hunting and job applications."
"Build connections and relationships with other young people participating in the programme."
The value for business
Getting involved offers your business a chance to help address the wide-reaching issue of youth unemployment and low social mobility in the region. It's also a great opportunity to engage with individuals from more marginalised backgrounds and inspire interest in your industry.
Evidence from our current business partners shows that participating in our programmes provides the following benefits:
"Opportunities for enhancing teamwork and bonding."
"Upskills existing workforce with new skills."
"Enables businesses reach their social value targets."
"Supports increased staff satisfaction and retention."
"Increases understanding of pathways and support structures needed to engage with and successfully onboard young people who come from marginalised groups."
"Helps to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce."
Ablaze will also promote the partnership, reporting and celebrating successes via social media.
If you are interested in getting involved, Ablaze would love to hear from you.
Please contact Flora Hodgson at flora.hodgson@ablazebristol.org to discuss the opportunity further.
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