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SPONSORED BY THE SOURCE SKILLS ACADEMY
CITY TRAILBLAZERS SEEKING RAW TALENT TO FUEL DRIVE FOR SUCCESS Three tech-powered Sheffield trailblazers are among the businesses working with The Source Skills Academy to recruit potential new talent via Kickstart. City, one of the country’s most successful taxi firms, its app-fuelled delivery business City Grab and sister tech company Caboodleit are giving six unemployed young people the chance to get ‘a foot in the door’ with the government’s new work experience scheme. If they show the right potential during their sixmonth placements, permanent careers will be on offer. Kickstart aims to get jobless 16-24-years old receiving Universal Credit on the road to jobs. “We want to give young people having a difficult time in the pandemic the chance to make their mark with us,” said Arnie Singh, the Sheffield entrepreneur behind the three brands. Two will be recruited for City Grab, Sheffield's answer to Deliveroo. The multidelivery app platform, which charges lower commission and keeps revenue in the local economy, launched in early 2020 and rocketed as demand for takeaways soared in the pandemic. The service has now made more than 200,000 deliveries and works with 376 city outlets – from Beres the pork sandwich chain to Nonna’s. Two recruits at Caboodleit, the tech company which launched City Grab, will learn sales and project management as it sells to
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DALE ROBINSON AT THE SOURCE WITH ARNIE SINGH, OF CITY TAXIS AND CABOOBLEIT
taxi firms nationally and creates a ‘white label’ tech product tailored for individual food, convenience, and retail outlets. At City Taxis, two Kickstarters will learn from a vastly experienced team and get an insight into the work ethic needed for success. Mr Singh is urging other SCR businesses to embrace Kickstart. “Work experience gives young people the chance to gain experience and prove
themselves in the workplace,” he said. “As an employer, Kickstart gives six months of support as we train people and ensure they are right for us.” The government funds Kickstart placements, paying the minimum wage for 25 hours a week, N.I and pension contributions and gives businesses grants of £1,500 towards the recruit’s set up and training. Mr Singh is pledging to top up hours and wages to full-time.
Dale Robinson, director of business development at The Source, said: “We are proud to be giving our expertise to City Taxis and Caboodleit, the brains behind City Grab. “We have now helped more than 65 employers to take on 150 Kickstart recruits. “Employers who choose us as their training and employment partner can retain the Kickstart grant, while we help their young recruits gain valuable qualifications and key skills.”
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