New hub set up to help borough’s youth with qualifications and employment

Photo: fizkes - stock.adobe.com

Rochdale Youth Hub provides help with finding appropriate training or job opportunities

A brand-new youth hub has been set up in Rochdale to help young people across the borough access training, qualifications and employment.

A joint project between the department for work and pensions and the local authority, the youth hub is for any young person, aged 16-24, who is living in the borough who needs a bit of support to understand where they’re going, what options are open to them and how they can get there.

There’s no requirement for people getting in touch to be receiving benefits.

Rochdale Youth Hub provides help with finding appropriate training or job opportunities, including placements with the council and its partners; assistance with potential barriers to employment, such as housing, benefits, debt and problems with health and wellbeing; support from specialist mentors; and links to apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities, accredited training courses and support for those who are considering self-employment.

Young people in the Rochdale borough are already benefitting from the youth hub: Paige, 22, was on furlough from a job in hospitality when she decided she wanted to try something new, and Rachel, also 22, was unemployed for three years before accessing the youth hub.

Paige was referred to the youth hub from the department for work and pensions and is now working at North Manchester General Hospital while training to become a healthcare assistant in the NHS.

Rachel needed some guidance on how to get her career started, including what job she might be best suited to and knowing how to write a CV and fill out application forms. She’s now completed a teaching assistant course, having had no previous experience, and is looking for a post in a primary school.

How to access the Rochdale Youth Hub

Young people can refer themselves or be referred by agencies they’re working with.

Contact the youth hub at: jobsandskills@rochdale.gov.uk; 01706 646 471 or text: 07794 210 859