CareerStart aims to help people aged 18-24 take that vital first step on the employment ladder by providing them with some significant and meaningful work experience, for a period of three to six months.
"Talking to employer organisations involved in our online portal, Recruitment Gateway, and also to jobseekers has made us aware of the critical 'experience gap,'" explains Hilary Laing, Cambridge Network's COO.
"Our members constitute the majority of companies in and around Cambridge, and several of them have already responded enthusiastically to the idea of offering work experience, though we are keen to hear from more employers who would be willing to take part.
"Some of our members have already committed to hosting one or more young people on the scheme and to pay at least the applicable minimum wage, as well as to provide some off-job training during the placement.
"Now we're looking for young people to join the programme and would like to hear from anyone aged 18-24 who has struggled to gain any work experience, who is interested in participating in a pilot. We are also interested in hearing from parents who would like to learn more on behalf of their offspring!"
Please contact careerstart@cambridgenetwork.co.uk if:
- you are (or know of) a young jobseeker looking to gain some valuable work experience
- you have a business that could offer a placement
- you just want to find out more.