Doncaster residents find work thanks to new Youth Employment Hub

A Youth Employment Hub introduced in the summer has already helped numerous young adults in Doncaster find work, access training opportunities and get self-employment advice.

The Youth Hub project led by Doncaster Council’s Business Doncaster team and delivered with Doncaster Chamber and Jobcentre Plus (JCP) is helping 18-24 year-olds on Universal Credit come off benefits and into work.

Since it launched in July, the essential support from specialist coaches has benefited 30 young adults. Twelve of them have already found work, two have moved into further education or training and two have received support on self-employment. The other participants continue to benefit from the crucial careers support which can make a real difference.

Cllr Lani-Mae Ball, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Young People, has been to see the service in action and was rightly impressed. “It’s pleasing to see first-hand how these young adults are benefiting from this Youth Employment Hub. They are getting invaluable support from our expert coaches on a whole range of important areas,” she said.

“This is providing them with new skills, boosting their confidence and getting them armed and ready for securing a job or training opportunity. We are determined to help people across our borough succeed and make the most of their talents so it’s encouraging to see success stories from this Hub already coming through,” added Cllr Ball.

Ewan from Rossington, who has recently secured work, said: “The Youth Hub were very supportive to me and my search for employment, talking me through potential opportunities and how they could benefit my career.”

Cllr Glyn Jones, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing and Business, said: “We are working closely with Doncaster businesses to identify opportunities that are the right fit for our young people. This Hub is part of our borough wide work, enterprise and skills response, as we strive to help people into work and support and grow our local economy.”

Paul Taberner, one of Youth Hub coaches, said: “Helping these young adults find their way towards employment is hugely rewarding. Giving them important careers guidance, lots of new skills and person-centred advice to get them onto a career path they want to do gives us a great sense of pride and I love being part of this.”

Cassie Richardson, from Doncaster Chamber, said: “It has been a great pleasure to work with the Youth Hub Team on behalf of The Doncaster Chamber. This has opened a wider range of opportunities and specialism within our expertise that can be shared to provide additional support to empower Doncaster businesses and their future work force. The Doncaster Chamber also offers self-employment support, which can be delivered through our Launchpad project and ScaleUp 360 project to support potential future entrepreneurs.”

The hub is based in the Civic Office in Doncaster town centre, but also has links into communities across the borough where support is needed. This includes Balby Bridge, Hexthorpe, Mexborough, Moorends and Thorne.

Dedicated coaches offer one-to-one support which is focused on their career goals. There are also group employability sessions and workshops on key career themes like CV writing. This means the young adults gain new skills, get help with their development and are better placed to move into work, training or self-employment.

Health and wellbeing sessions will also be delivered as this has been identified as a potential issue for young people which has been intensified due to the pandemic.

More information about the available support can be found at: www.startindoncaster.com

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