Getting work
Monday 1 March 2010
The Future Jobs Fund offers new community focused jobs. n2k spoke to Colette Jennings about how she has benefitted.
Job search
19-year-old Colette Jennings from Mapperley in Nottingham left school at 16. After working in customer services for an alternative health company Colette found herself out of a job when her employer made cutbacks. Despite searching for several months, Colette found it difficult to get another job until her Jobcentre Plus adviser suggested a range of suitable Future Jobs Fund opportunities.
The Future Jobs Fund offers new community focused jobs for young people. The jobs, lasting six months or longer, offer 18-24 year olds valuable work experience plus the opportunity to develop new skills and make a difference to the local community.
Since successfully applying for a position at a local community garden, Colette’s life has turned around. Colette loves her new job and has even begun studying towards an NVQ as part of her training. Colette’s job is just one of 1,000 Future Jobs Fund opportunities offered by Nottingham City Council with local businesses and voluntary organisations .
Being unemployed
Do you think it’s especially hard for young people to get a job at the moment?
I think finding work is difficult for everyone in the current climate. But it’s probably especially hard for young people. Experience is always an advantage, and as a young person it’s something you don’t have. So you’re relying on employers taking a chance on you.
What was life like while you were unemployed?
There are jobs out there, but it’s still very tough. I applied for lots of jobs but often heard nothing back. When I did get an interview I think my age and lack of experience let me down. It’s really disheartening when you can’t get a chance to prove yourself.
Future Jobs Fund
In what ways did the Future Jobs Fund help you find work?
I was very excited when my Jobcentre Plus personal adviser told me about the range of new work opportunities through the Future Jobs Fund. It’s aimed at people exactly like me who are aged between 18 and 24 and who’ve been looking for work for six months or more. I was given the chance to apply for several different jobs on community environmental projects and at local farms and chose the ones which interested me the most. When St Ann’s Allotments (STAA), a historical town gardens, offered me a job immediately after my interview, I accepted straight away.
All through the process, Jobcentre Plus were really great. When the Future Jobs Fund opportunities came up they called me even though it was outside of office hours. From receiving that call I had a job within a week and a half.
Finding work after over a year of unemployment was a great relief. While working I’ve also been given the chance to train towards an NVQ in business and administration which is paid for by the Government. It’s great to be learning new things and getting even more experience.
I’m very grateful for all the help and encouragement I’ve received from Jobcentre Plus along the way and I’d certainly recommend that other young people go for Future Job Fund opportunities.
Community work
Many of the jobs that Future Jobs Fund deals with are community based. How important is that for you?
The fact that I’m helping my community is a really important factor. It’s great to be making a difference. At STAA we do a huge variety of stuff and I’ve even managed to get my other family members involved to help out. There’s always lots of ongoing activity in the different allotments – such as open days, gardening workshops, walk and tours, and events for children organised with local schools.
What kind of benefits do you receive through the Future Jobs Fund campaign?
One of the main reasons I wasn’t being considered for other jobs was that I lacked experience in the workplace. The fact that the Future Jobs Fund is aimed at 18 to 24’s makes it ideal for young people like me who want to work but can’t find anyone willing to give them a chance. It means you’re working with employers who are happy to train you up and keen to see what you can do.
What does your role at STAA involve?
I am an administrative assistant which means I get involved in lots of different tasks. No two days are ever the same. At the moment I’m doing lots of data analysis, pulling together details about tenants past and present. It’s very interesting and varied work.
Looking to the future
What advice would you give to someone your age who may be looking for work, or has just lost their job?
I know from experience how difficult it can be but you’ve got to stick at it. Something will definitely turn up eventually. Despite the economic climate, a lot of the big employers are still hiring. It’s also important to speak to people in jobs. That’s a great way to find out about vacancies you might otherwise not hear of. Lots of opportunities come from word-of-mouth.
If you could be in any job industry, where would you be?
I love reading so my ideal job would probably be in the publishing business. Reading for a living would be a dream come true.
I’m not sure exactly where I see myself in 10 years time. When I left school I went straight into work. My plan is to try different experiences and keep learning new skills until I find out what it is I want to do.
18 or over and looking for work? You may be able to receive support from the Young Person’s Guarantee - find out more.
