A unique new pilot programme, the first of its kind in the UK, has achieved a 91% success rate in providing a positive future for unemployed young people.
The £300,000 scheme was developed and managed by LEDCOM in conjunction with Enterprise Northern Ireland and funded by Lloyds Bank Foundation for NI in partnership with Lloyds Banking Group.
The Advance Programme gave 40 participants 24 weeks’ paid employment in a range of social enterprises throughout Northern Ireland with the goal of transforming these shortterm posts into permanent jobs.
An independent report on the programme revealed that 91% of the participants are now in full or part-time employment and the remainder are continuing to develop their skills.
Thirty were offered permanent posts in their social enterprise while others found employment elsewhere with the experience that they gleaned from the programme.
“This programme not only gave young people a chance to gain great experience and to secure a permanent job, it also gave a boost to the 27 social enterprises who found employees with new ideas, energy and vibrancy,” said programme manager Audrey Murray.
“We had hoped to achieve a 50% success rate in finding permanent employment for these young people, but it’s a testament to their ability and drive, and the support and mentoring we were able to give them, that in total 91% are now working. Businesses sometimes need to take a chance on young people and see the bigger picture.”
Sandra Kelso-Robb, executive director of Lloyds Bank Foundation for NI, said: “This was a new concept, it was a risk taking concept, and it’s one we’ve now proven can work.
“This funding of £300,000 is the single largest award givenin the Foundation’s history, but it marries the areas of education, employment and enterprise that we have always supported.”
Before taking up their posts, each of the young people received personal mentoring support and completed Enterprise Northern Ireland’s Exploring Enterprise Programme, which gives them a recognised qualification in business studies, helps develop their entrepreneurial skills, and prepares them to take up employment.