Nottingham teenagers get job help

Pupils from a Nottingham school are hoping advice from employees of two city-based Government agencies could prove to be ‘just the job’ when it comes to helping them find work in the future.

Six teenagers from Ellis Guilford School and Sports College, in Basford, have visited the offices of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and the Independent Living Fund for a specially-devised vocational programme over the past two weeks.

They were each paired up with a mentor who gave them guidance on how to search for jobs, apply for vacancies and prepare for interviews. They were also given a mock interview to get an idea of what to expect when the time comes to enter the employment market.

GLA Chief Executive Paul Broadbent: “We were delighted to take part in this scheme and give something back to the community in which many of our staff live and work.

“Valuable lessons were learned on both sides in talking to these young people, who have varying degrees of engagement in the education system.

“The pupils took away some important life skills, while working with them provided our staff with an opportunity to update their own experiences.”

The visits were supported by the East Midlands’ branch of Civil Service Local. Engaging Our Secondary Schools is part of a national commitment to deliver 30,000 paid volunteering days by guiding activities in key policy areas.

James Sanderson, Chief Executive of ILF said: “The programme delivered positive results for both pupils and the staff who took part demonstrating the importance of such initiatives.”

The Year 11 pupils who took part received a certificate from ILF Chief Executive James Sanderson and a gift voucher as a reward for attendance from the GLA presented by Mr Broadbent.

ENDS

Press release issued by GLA Communications and Information Officer Paul Fearn. For more information contact 0115 959 7069 or email communications@gla.gsi.gov.uk.

Notes to editors

1. The GLA operates throughout the UK and is a Non Departmental Public Body.

2. The authority was formed in 2005 in the wake of the Morecambe Bay cockle picking disaster when 23 Chinese workers drowned on the sands.

3. The GLA licences companies that supply labour (gangmasters) to agriculture, horticulture, food processing and packaging and shellfish gathering.

4. Its main strategic priorities are to prevent worker exploitation, protect vulnerable people and tackle unlicensed and criminal activity.

5. Under the Gangmasters Licensing Act (2004) it is illegal both to operate as, or employ the services of, an unlicensed gangmaster.

6. The Independent Living Fund provides money to help disabled people live an independent life in the community rather than in residential care.

www.gla.gov.uk