Just the job

As a young person, getting decent work experience that relates to what you want to do can be tough. Enter the Your Choice programme, which has seen people find placements as lifeguards, estate agents, builders and much more.

Rosemary Braithwaite, who leads the scheme, tells us more

What’s Your Choice all about?

Delivered as a collaboration between Islington’s youth justice, targeted youth support and youth progression services, the programme provides some of the borough’s most vulnerable young people with access to paid work experience during the summer holidays, while gaining new skills, knowledge and insights to support their progression in education, training or employment.

It’s open to people aged 16–24, who are referred to me by various agencies. The aim is to keep young people engaged over the summer, which can be quite a vulnerable time for them, and expose them to a sector they’re interested in, build their CV and get professional references. These young people don’t otherwise have the connections to access good quality work experience. We help to bridge that gap, in placements that pay the London Living Wage, as well as cover travel and lunch.

What’s your role?

I work with businesses to create the placements and prepare the young people for work, including things like, professionalism, timekeeping and communication. I get them to meet the employer first to make sure it’s a good fit and offer extra support along the way.

How successful has it been?

We launched the programme last year and placed 17 young people into work experience. This may not seem like a large number, but they all had a number of needs and had experienced challenges, so providing them with opportunities was important. This year, we’re aiming for at least 40.

We received really good feedback from the employers that participated last year and they’re happy to take part again. They include a leisure operator, estate agent, boxing club, football hub, youth club and painting and construction firm. This year, we’re expanding it to include jobs in creative industries, green skills, hospitality and health and social care.

What has it meant for the young people involved?

Four of the young people that took part last year got permanent jobs with their host employer. One was placed with a basketball organisation and offered a permanent role, which saw him work across HR, bid writing, social media and coaching. His manager has become his mentor – it was a real meeting of minds, and a great relationship has formed. He’s gone on to do a business degree and has got so much confidence now.

Another took a lifeguard course on his placement and went on to get a job at a leisure centre. He was the first of his siblings to get a job, despite being the youngest, and he said that his family were really proud. It’s great to make a difference.

To find out more about the scheme, email: rosemary.braithwaite@ islington.gov.uk