Posted on 05 April 2022
At the beginning of 2021, we set a target of securing 20 Kickstart positions across the business, and we’re proud to announce that we have now 38 ‘Kickstarters’ in place - a ‘full house’.
The Kickstart scheme’s aim is to help young people who are at risk of long term unemployment. It’s a six-month job placement programme funded by government, and is open to anyone in England and Wales aged 16-24, who claim Universal Credit. The placement covers 25 hours a week, and includes training, support and expert advice to enhance young people’s future employability.
Hyde joined the Kickstart scheme as it’s an excellent opportunity to get young people involved in different aspects of our work and gain experience in the housing sector.
Two of our new Kickstarters are Zinhle Mayo, Social Value Projects Assistant and Kieyarna Graham Bell, Successful Places Assistant – both roles are in Hyde Foundation. Here is what they had to say about their placements:
Zin said: “I joined Hyde in March as a Kickstarter. I wanted to join the scheme as it means I receive a salary for my placement, as well as benefitting from an extensive amount of tailored support. Support includes help with updating and producing my CV, extra support to boost future job prospects and the opportunity to receive mentorship. Previously, I was studying an undergraduate degree course: International Development and Non-Governmental Organisation Management. I am currently on a gap year and hoping to resume studying or go into full time work."
Kieyarna said: “Before joining the Kickstart scheme, I finished my A levels and had experience working in retail. But I wanted more of a challenge and was very keen to start my career in a role that had a humanitarian aspect to it and enabled positive change. I applied to join the Successful Places team as an assistant after reading the job description at the job centre and was ecstatic when I got the position. I loved that the role consisted of creating opportunities for young and older people by investing in community projects that help to improve their quality of life."
Taseef Younas, Successful Places and Projects Manager, who is also leading the Kickstart scheme for Hyde said: “Our ‘full house’ of placements demonstrates our commitment to the Kickstart scheme[...]Out of all our Kickstarters that have now left Hyde, none have gone back onto UC, some have gone onto other jobs and some have stayed with us and secured a full-time job. This is what the programme is all about.”