Borough's employers interviewing for Kickstart jobs

Rochdale employers have been interviewing candidates for Kickstart roles.

The government’s Kickstart scheme offers financial support to businesses and organisations which employ young people, aged 16-24, who are at risk of long-term unemployment. The scheme offers a six-month full time paid work placement for young people on universal credit, with the aim of getting them vital work experience to help kickstart their careers.

Discount store B&M Bargains attended the Heywood Job Centre on 29 July to interview for their three Kickstart replenishment assistants, whilst the Centre of Training, Wellbeing and Culture attended the Rochdale Job Centre for a video editing role on 16 August.

All three B&M roles were filled, with inductions taking place over the following fortnight.

Vijay Patel, employer for B&M, said: “It had been great to meet so many different young people with such different skills. I have enjoyed my time at Heywood and wish I had done something like this 12 months ago.

“I am also looking at other recruitments and like to promote local people into local jobs."

Mohammed Sarwar, of the Centre of Training, Wellbeing and Culture, praised the staff at Rochdale Job Centre, saying: “Thank you to the staff and Dewan (employer advisor for Rochdale Job Centre) for supporting us with the Kickstart.

“We have a lot of opportunities for young people and we appreciate your support. I can't wait to return to promote these activities. I was initially apprehensive but I've felt really welcome so I will definitely be returning."

Virtual interviews are also offered when onsite interviews are not able to be facilitated, arranged for Domino’s pizza, which offered Kickstart roles for a delivery driver and instore roles.

Margaret Moran, Kickstart lead for Glamorgan Retail, trading as Domino’s, said: “Although I couldn't attend the job centre, the employer advisors at Rochdale Job Centre accommodated Microsoft Teams interviews.

“It's been a pleasure working with the Rochdale Job Centre; we will definitely be doing things together in the future.”

A spokesperson for the Rochdale Job Centre said: “Middleton, Heywood and Rochdale all have employers on site offering interviews and handing out job offers on the day to local youths.

“By bringing employers and customers face-to-face in our job centres, we have been able to take steps out of the recruitment process and simplify the recruitment method, meaning we have seen a total of 46 customers move into employment since 29 July via the Kickstart scheme.

“This has been by far the most effective way of seeing our young people move into work and give them the opportunity to get in to the workplace with in-work training to help develop transferable skills, aimed at increasing their chances of sustained employment.”

For those over the age of 25, various programmes such as Working Well, Work and Health Programme and Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS) are available.

Targeting those out of work for three months, JETS provides additional support for claimants to ensure those put forward for the scheme have access to tailored, flexible support to quickly get back into employment.

A number of providers offer a range of help, including specialist advice on how people can move into growing sectors, as well as CV and interview coaching.

Job hunters are also given the boost they need to return to employment through an action plan agreed with their personal Work Coach, peer support and opportunities to build their skills.
 

Read more: JETS job support scheme launches in Greater ManchesterPublished: 27 October 2020

The spokesperson continued: “Our job centres are now fully open and face to face appointments are taking place with our customers.

“We have employers interviewing on site and we’re seeing great success with job offers being made quickly following interviews.

“These programmes support unemployed people in Greater Manchester who are keen to find an opportunity to get back into work.

“The missions of Working Well, the Work and Health Programme and Job Entry Targeted Support are to make sure people have the skills, support and behaviours to get jobs, gain independence and become productive employees.”

Employers interested in offering Kickstart roles can get in touch with Rochdale’s employer advisors via email.