300 Unemployed Young People Gain work Through SLB

More than 300 unemployed young people from across London are being given on the job training and vital work experience that will improve their future prospects, as well as help local firms and the community.

In December 2009 South London Business won a large contract under the Government’s Future Jobs Fund. Working closely with Jobcentre Plus and Skills Training agencies across London, SLB have been employing young people between the ages of 18 and 24 for 11 months now, and the scheme has seen some noticeable successes.

Employed directly by SLB on six-month contracts, new recruits either work in our Croydon headquarters or on placement at organisations across London. Business Community Assistants (BCAs) carry out a range of office tasks, from business administration and events co-ordination to sales, human resources, accounts and design.

SLB has placed young people from the scheme with organisations including Croydon Council, Harrow Council, St. George’s University of London, King’s College Hospital and the Rugby Football Union. A range of social enterprises, charities and smaller companies have also benefited from taking a young person from the Future Jobs Fund on placement.

“The young people we employ will therefore be making a real difference to the community while also gaining valuable skills and employment. It is a win-win situation,” said Peter Pledger, Chief Executive of South London Business.

“Their jobs with us will be for six months, providing them with real work experience, a reference, improved skills and enhanced employability. We will also be giving them assistance in finding further employment.”

As most jobs now in South London are office-based, the project will ensure that the young people have the range of skills and experience to secure long-term employment in the sectors offering most jobs in the area.

The project has seen some real successes so far, with more than   50 young people using the experience they gained with South London Business to find full-time employment or enter further education. Beneficiaries of the Future Jobs Fund are now working in accountancy, banking, for borough councils, and one now plays in Serie C of the Italian Professional Basketball League!

Sam Salisbury (23) from New Addington, who had left school at 16 with 7 GCSEs and had been laid off from a job as a junior carpenter, turned his first experience of working in an office into a job with the construction firm J.W. Cannon & Co. as a Trainee Chartered Surveyor.
“It’s probably the best job I could have hoped to get,” Sam said, and he is very grateful for the support and help he received throughout his time on the Future Jobs Fund.

Another beneficiary of the Future Jobs Fund is Saima Shahzad (23) from Wallington. A graduate who had been working for the NHS, she was made redundant last year. “I was out of work for 6 months,” said Saima, “Being out of work for so long makes you stop believing in yourself.

As I spent more time in the South London Business offices I was given more and more responsibility, and this has really boosted my confidence.” Saima has been helping the SLB Logistics Apprenticeship Training Agency – she screens applicants by telephone and carries out a range of other tasks. “I think the experience I have gained here will really help me find work in the future.”

The project is open to young people from a range of backgrounds. Some have very little or no work experience, some having only managed the odd few weeks of seasonal work or Saturday jobs. Some have minimal qualifications. Others have degrees. Many come from Croydon and South London, but recruits have joined the programme from as far afield as Barnet, Harrow, Newham and Hounslow.

The Future Jobs Fund, funded by the Department of Work and Pensions, is a national initiative in operation across the country.