Future Jobs Fund drive gives north west youngsters a brighter future

Young people across the North West of England are facing a brighter future thanks to a job creation programme aimed at preventing a “lost generation”.

Social Enterprise Solutions CIC has been working to deliver 150 new jobs in the social enterprise sector, through the government’s Future Jobs Fund. Young people across the region are now enjoying new opportunities as a result, in a wide variety of roles.

Agapao International, a social enterprise based in Pennine Lancashire, has employed 17 young people through the programme.

And Community Equestrian CIC, based near Preston, has taken on eight new members of staff as a result, a move which has helped its operation develop and grow.

They are among a wide range of social enterprises taking part in the initiative, which is helping their operations grow and giving the youngsters they are employing valuable experience.

Social Enterprise Solutions CIC, which won the bid to fund and support the jobs in partnership with 3sc, has been working with a range of umbrella organisations, including the Social Enterprise Lancashire Network, Selnet, to maximise the success of the scheme.

The Future Jobs Fund is primarily aimed at getting 18 to 24 year olds back into employment, with the government funding their minimum wage for six months.

Clive Hirst, chairman of Social Enterprise Solutions CIC, said: “The Future Jobs Fund has been set up to provide additional opportunities to jobseekers and other people on out-of-work benefits who would otherwise be unable to find work.

“The people being helped by the Future Jobs Fund aren’t just learning new skills but are growing in confidence, which will help enormously when they look for a permanent position.”

Working at Community Equestrian is a dream-come-true for Abby Mooney, 20, from Blackpool, who had been out of work for 10 months before getting a helping hand from the project.

She said: “I’ve asked the manager if she will help me train as an instructor and she has agreed. I need a lot more practice in riding, but I’m allowed to take one of the horses out in my spare time so I can build up my experience. I’m having great fun and I am very grateful for the opportunity.”

Mr Hirst added: “The Future Jobs Fund helped Abby get her foot on the ladder and begin an equestrian career. She’s hard-working and very committed. Importantly, she is helping to develop and grow the business which, in turn, may help to create a full time position at the end of her six months.”

The benefits to organisations include:

• Growth – additional staff will allow them to achieve more
• Funding – all posts are fully funded for 6 months.
• Development – bring new people into the Third Sector giving it a stronger presence
• Training – bring new skills to young people and give them hope for the future.
• Help – to reduce unemployment and prevent a “lost generation” of alienated young people.

Social Enterprise Solutions CIC, formerly Blackpool Enterprise CIC, reimburses the employment costs of each placement and gives incentives to the host organisation to cover the cost of induction and training costs.

More information is available at www.futurejobs.org.uk