Life in Salford 33 • June 2021 36
Salford rallies to support young jobseekers Salford is rallying round to help young people Kickstart their careers. Dozens of organisations have come forward to offer opportunities in everything from catering and administration to digital technologies and working with children under the Kickstart scheme which funds six months paid work experience. Salford City Council is administering the government scheme for under 24s who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.
The aim is to break the no experience, no work, no work, no experience deadlock and put young people in a strong position for future jobs with their host organisation or others. Over 30 young people are currently on placements in the council and with local employers in areas as different as youth work, project management, horticulture, engineering and finance and there are more opportunities coming in all the time. Thanks to the Riding to Success scheme which teaches young people to repair and maintain donated bikes, Kickstarters will also be given a free bike, if they wish. To find out as an employer or young person and see the latest vacancies visit www.salford.gov.uk/kickstart or email KickStart@salford.gov.uk. Hear what young people are saying about Kickstart
Back on the road
Riding to Success is back on the road for summer. Salford City Council launched the scheme last year to train young people how to refurbish and maintain donated bikes. Twenty-nine young people took part last year, gaining a skill for life and a qualification and keeping their focus on learning and employment. Twenty two of them went straight on to further studies, apprenticeships, traineeships and volunteering. They repaired 39 donated bikes, 18 of which went to the young people who worked on them. Two were returned to their owners and the rest were donated to families and young care leavers.
The six week courses are open to 16 to 18 year olds who are not in education, employment or training and will take place in Little Hulton, Walkden Swinton, Eccles and Salford Quays. Full details can be found at www.salford.gov.uk/donateabike Both adult and children’s bikes which can easily be repaired can be donated until Friday 25 June. Please email Jordi.matthews@salford.gov.uk to arrange free collection. Salford City Council is working with Access Sport, The Urban Fitness Collective (Tuf*C) and BikeRight! to provide the courses
