A.C.E Youth Employment UK e-Magazine by Laura-Jane Rawlings

employ e t a e - cr advise

w e n t n a brilli es chang g to ACE comin r BIG news... ou r e v o c s di

in this edition: Stereotyping Negative Attitudes That Damage Young People YEUK Youth Events Zero Hour Contracts Rise Of Grad Positions/Fail Of Youth Unemployment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Is It What It Seems? Females In Male Roles Or Are They Roles For All? UK FREE / #20 OCTOBER 2014

wlings a r e n a j laura Dear Readers, It is my pleasure to bring to you another packed edition of ACE! This edition is packed with the usual great content as well as the latest youth employment news, we discuss the rise in graduate recruitment vacancies and the impact of zero hours. The latest Office for National Statistics data brought news of a continued reduction in youth unemployment, this is really music to our ears. It is also something we believe is linked to the hard work and commitment of youth organisations, training companies, employers and young people who are all stepping up to tackle youth unemployment. We cannot get complacent however, there are still far too many young people experiencing youth unemployment and long-term unemployment. At YEUK we are also mindful that the figures wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily reflect underemployment and zero hours which are very real issues. We must continue to campaign and work together to create more opportunities for young people in youth friendly communities. It is with some excitement that I can share with you that our next e-Magazine is going to have a completely different look and feel. In our brilliant partnership with Plotr we have decided to change the face of the e-Magazine; Plotr will be leading on the e-Mag from November with YEUK supporting them. You will notice a lot more of Plotr in this edition and can even get a sneak preview of what next month will look like. YEUK will be concentrating on our youth voice, membership and campaigning work as we focus on the challenges of youth unemployment. I really am delighted that the partnership is working so well and look forward to hearing your views on the November edition. All the best, LJ

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YEUK 02

Letter From The CEO Laura-Jane Rawlings

Youth Editor Page

34 & 35 Our Sponsors

Hints & Tips 09

Position Yourself – By Shakira Martin

Girl In The City – By Shwetal

Where To Go For Careers Information

YEUK Ambassador Event Coming Up!

Do You Need Help With Your Career?

Approach Your Career Like An Entrepreneur

Planning The #Weyforward

Baltic Training Tech Industry Gold

this month’s pull-out:

introduction to

PLOTR /////////////////

see centre pages 18-19 ➔

News & Personal Stories 05

Stereotyping & Society – By Alex Knight

06 & 07 Graduate Vacancies Rise – By Michael Tran 12 & 13 The Minimum Wage – By Jack

YouthEmploymentUK

22 & 23 Zero Hours Contracts – By Jack 25

Kinetic Foundation, Employability & Sports!

Youth Employment UK C.I.C. Group

Interviews 14 & 15 Interview With Plotr CEO 24

Interview With Jordan Christy – Employed

Young Person

28 & 29 Job & Career Diversity

@yeuk @YEUK2012

32 & 33 Internships: The Insider View – StemTech

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YEUK

ight n k x e l by a Hello reader s! Welcome to October ’s A.C .E. M which this m onth, brings yo agazine, u information about volunte ering opportu nities – not ju in the UK but st around the w orld, to place you have may s be never even heard of. It’s a chance for our Youth Ambassadors and featured organisations to showcase the great wo rk that young people are doing in som e of the poore st regions of the globe. This is espec ially poignan t in a time wh young people ere have fallen u nder evermo scrutiny and re have been la belled as lazy focused on th , eir video gam es and social media. This tag is sim ply not true an d has reached its expiry dat e. Whether in em ployment or not, young people are co ntributing a lo t more to society than people think, shaking off th tags and focu e sing on helpin g others. They are mak ing the most of the fact th the world in at the 21st centu ry really is yo oyster and w ur ith better com munication vi social media, a Skype and m uch improve travel links, ca d n find themse lves finding and taking op portunities th at previous generations d idn’t have. Those taking part in such sc hemes not only help the image that th eir generatio projects but al n so help the im age they project, as vo lunteering is worth its wei in CV gold. W ght orking as par t of a team towards a go od cause alw ays looks goo and you will d see its power later on in th issue. is

With this in m ind, I’d like to ask somethin of you, the re g aders, before you carry on with this mon th’s edition. Think now h ow, you perso nally, view young people and write it o n a piece of paper somew here. Then, fold th e piece of pap er up and read the e-mag.

Then after yo u’ve read abo ut the great work that ou r Youth Ambas sadors and featured you ng people are d oing, write how you feel about young people again . Then compar e your initial reaction to th view you too e k after readin g and if it’s a positive chan ge, keep that thought and think whether the pre-conce ptions printe in the media d are an accura te portrayal of the UK’s youth population. I think you’ll be surprised. Happy readin g! Alex Knight

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NEWS & PERSONAL STORIES

off n e t t i r oung w ay? y s ’ n i a irthd b are brit h t 0 1 their before The headline seems shocking doesn’t it, that in society today, children are written off so early. Perhaps so shocking that, well, it surely cannot be true?

Ignorance appeared to be in the majority and it got me thinking.

Well, before you decide, I want to share an experience I had a few weekends ago.

If everyone sees these children the same, then they’ll grow up in that mould, not achieving because they don’t believe that they’ll amass to anything.

Arsenal were playing Spurs in the North London derby and a few of us got together in the common room at my halls to watch the match.

This in turn, could mean that they don’t succeed at school and find themselves turning to crime, because it’s their only income stream.

I saw some youngsters from the estate around us trying to peer through the blinds, so I opened them, letting the youngsters watch the game through the window.

At an age where children are impressionable, it’s crucial that we don’t give them the wrong impression, but tell them regardless of background, you can succeed.

All of them growing up in some extreme of poverty, you could tell how much of a treat watching the game was, with the odd scream and knock on the window.

If the drive, passion and concentration I witnessed today from these youngsters goes into their studies, then they’ll be flying high, gaining the future that they want for themselves.

It was a real buzz knowing that these children were happy, smiling and really enjoying the match, standing for the whole 90 minutes.

So this isn’t aimed at just businesses or just students, it’s aimed at human beings. It’s aimed at the prejudices that are still harboured, even though they are founded on the minority.

But during this time, a more shocking view arose, with some of the comments I overhead really worrying me. These included multiple references to them “stabbing” people and another claiming “they’ll all be in prison in 15 years”.

that’s something that everyone can help society to change. Optimistic views are much harder to impart than pessimistic, so we need to start the right way. Children who grow up not feeling limited, will flourish and such stigma that currently surrounds the lower classes doesn’t help anyone. Kids living in poverty in the UK don’t need criticism. All they need is a chance.

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plotr help Young people from difficult backgrounds not only need but DESERVE a lot of support. You might want to read: From gangs to prison – to Cambridge Uni!

It’s aimed at the media who will tell us about a lad from an estate killing someone, but not the lad who grew up with nothing who now has a degree and a high ranking job. Youth unemployment will remain until stigma no longer does and

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kets r a m g rowin g ing e w h o t r t g e bu tisfy th a s t o n can duates a r g f o number

////////////////////////////////// “Got your results? Not sure what to do next? Enrol today!” Those phrases are everywhere you go at this time of year: newspapers, train stations – even your local high street. Around this time each year, thousands, if not millions of young people plan tirelessly for their next steps; Sixth form? College? Apprenticeship or school leaver schemes? Congratulations if you chose higher education. The graduate market is growing and confidence has been restored. According to a report published by High Fliers earlier at the beginning of summer, vacancies for graduates

have actually increased this year by a whopping 11.6%! Putting it into context, the outlook certainly looks positive compared to a measly 2.5% rise in 2013, and a drop of 0.8% in 2012. Graduate schemes usually open up during the summer break before your last year of studies. So don’t leave it to the summer of your final exams! Some large companies tend to open smaller recruitment campaigns in or around the Christmas period for those that missed out during the summer. When completing your UCAS application, universities look

Current profession with the highest demand of graduates is in the accountancy profession, with a recorded 4,442 vacancies specifically for graduates or those on professional awarding bodies.

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for people they can show off. People that make the university look good with good grades, people who have evidence that supports their interests in their chosen degree. When you finish your course, employers look for graduates who will work their socks off. Graduates who have shown initiative. Graduates who have excelled in university outside their courses. If you haven’t already, you need to start cramming all of the above as a bare minimum for when you leave university. Enroll on a sandwich course; it gives an entire year of real paid experience. Those who don’t want to study for more than three years can opt for summer programs, or have a go at internships when taking a gap year. These experiences will be vital when setting out to hunt for your entry-level job. It is extremely rare that a company will ask for a first class degree when applying for a graduate scheme, but it will definitely put you above everybody else. The majority of schemes – at least 70% – will ask for a 2:1 degree, whilst 18% ask for a 2:2. Some schemes are harder to apply for, as they may also consider your UCAS points in addition to your degree, and some even ask for a specific A Level or GCSE in an optional subject you might have not chosen at school.

NEWS & PERSONAL STORIES

The percentage increase of entry-level vacancies for graduates

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// There’s been a pretty nasty freeze on graduate salaries recently. But in 2014, the average graduate starting salary rose for the first time in four years from £29,000 to £29,500 – with the majority entering the public sector, IT, and retail management sectors via fast-track management schemes aimed at graduates. Although the numbers of graduate vacancies have increased yearon-year – with employers posting more entry-level vacancies in the last few years – care must be taken to note that the amount of people graduating is also expected to rise. Over 50% of employers who took part in the High Fliers research stated that graduates who have had “no previous work experience at all are unlikely to be successful, and have little or no chance of receiving a job offer”.

/////////////////////////////////////// So the answer is get volunteering and mentoring! Even better if you can grab a part-time job on top of that! If you’re considering university, then engineering is the top spot right now. A recent report published from Adzuna shows the construction and engineering has increased by up to 3.5%, with a 38% increase in vacancies from January 2014 to June 2014 across the UK.

So what can you do? 1. If you have several careers in mind, you should consider all your options on how to get into all of them, and identify a common skill or qualification that could be used in each industry. You could be working part-time in a supermarket, studying an accountancy course and volunteer to become a mentor. As a result, you now have retail, accountancy and teaching experience under your belt. These small successes will eventually lead to rewarding job titles such as a regional manager, auditor, or head teacher, as they all involve handling: external stakeholder engagement, financial decisions, and ability to prioritise. 2. Find out the educational requirements – do you need those A Levels or will you be better off on a Level 3 or 4 apprenticeship? A Level students should especially research fast-track management schemes and apprenticeships aimed at school leavers with at least 280 UCAS points. The bottom line is if you’re a graduate, you want a career that pays for your degree, not a student loan that sits in your monthly pay packet for show. 3. If your job requires you to be a graduate, then choose the subject or topic closest to it. Specialised fast-track schemes exist for engineers, economists and other analysts. Although it’s possible to get every job without a degree, a fasttrack scheme will boost your credentials, especially within a management role. 4. UCAS personal statements should touch on: Why you are interested in the subject? How have you shown interest in it? What benefits you can bring to the university? Will you consider postgraduate there? What part of the subject does your passion lie in? Always remember employers look for experience and attitude. Relevant volunteering is always desirable. Placement years and internships are extremely favored upon by recruiters, but they usually open and close vacancies 12 months and 6 months before the start date respectively. If you ever land yourself in the wrong job, keep it, then use the experience gained there for another interview!

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Youth Employment UK CIC Youth Friendly Badge (CC) The Youth Friendly Badge (CC) celebrates and recognises your commitment to young people in the UK. It is a public demonstration of your pledge to be a “Youth Friendly” business. In the UK nearly 1 in 5 young people are unemployed; youth unemployment is a growing social, economic and moral problem with a cost to every member of society, but above all, to a young person, somewhere near you. Already thousands of businesses in the UK support young people by attending careers fairs, providing work experience opportunities and taking on young people through apprenticeships, internships, graduate or entry level roles. We know that there is still more to be done and so we want all UK employers to apply for the free Youth Friendly Badge (CC), demonstrating to their communities, to young people, to future employees and to their customers that they are invested in supporting youth employment. There are just 3 simple steps to receiving the Youth Friendly Badge (CC). There is no charge and no financial obligation. You just need to be prepared to invest in supporting young people. Not only will you benefit from the recognition the badge brings to you, but your organisation will also benefit by its investment in its future workforce and future customers.

What are the Steps? 1. The Positive Youth Charter is

Step 1

• Sign the Positive Youth Charter

• Commit to at least 2 activities from the "Youth Friendly" Menu Step 2

an agreement signed by employers, young people & training providers. It creates a common language and commitment by all of those working to fight youth unemployment.

• Self-Assess "Youth Friendly" behaviour

2. The Youth Friendly Menu lists all the great activities that employers can support young people and schools with. Talks, Site Visits, Work Experience, Mentoring, the list is endless and we can also help connect you with organisations that support employers to do these things.

Step 3

3. Finally to receive the certificate you must check your current business behaviours against our 8 Youth Friendly ones to see how your organisation supports young people within its operation. Meet 6+ of the criteria and you will receive a certificate for your organisation.

For more information please visit www.yeuk.org.uk Youth Employment UK CIC is a not for profit campaigning and membership organisation dedicated to fighting youth unemployment. We are wholly committed to making the UK the most “Youth Friendly” place to work. The Youth Friendly Badge (CC) is created under a Creative Commons license, for more details visit www.yeuk.org.uk

HINTS & TIPS

Over the last year I have become increasingly more aware of the importance of repositioning for the best opportunities and would like to share what I have learnt with all young people. My message is about positioning yourself in a place where you can move forward by surrounding yourself with people that can support you in your journey and that will help you reach your full potential. We are all individuals, respect differences and that life is not a one size fits all. The ways you may go about positioning yourself may be different from others. There is no right or wrong way to do this but you will know within you when you are firmly positioned in a place where you can strive. What’s funny is that you will soon realise that when you start repositioning yourself there will be those who begin to say you are changing. It could be small like not having time to go out for your casual Friday night drinks with friends or thinking you’re too nice because you’re attending meetings or dressing differently. Sometimes it’s about being a little selfish, but not forgetting where you come from, because where you have come from has shaped who you are today. Whether your experiences were negative or positive – it got you where you are. You’re the most important person in your own life and if you don’t reposition yourself, how are

you to help others? Your mental attitude determines your success, if you think big you will be big. So step out of the box and don’t be scared to be different – don’t follow the trend, be a trend setter, a leader not a follower!

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by shakira sweet, YEUK youth ambassador

Be you and not who anyone else wants you to be, and when you feel that you are the leader of your group, delegate and move to a new start, a new group and begin a new you, where you can be stretched and challenged, but always remember to look back and share knowledge with the group you empowered. In every decision you make always consider your position, the Brazil match in the World Cup is an excellent example of how positioning in the wrong place can have a detrimental impact to what you are trying to achieve. Anticipate change, be at the top of your game and keep putting yourself in the right place. Once you have made a start, the opportunity to get your name out and leave a sweet taste of your passion, determination and motivation behind to linger like a sweet fragrance. Be strong; be bold, stay focused and wellgrounded, think positive – you will see a change.

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“If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness”.

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HINTS & TIPS

tal, r by shew th ambassado ou YEUK y

Youth Ambassador Shewtal, shared with YEUK how she came to move from Glasgow to London for her internship and the brilliant opportunity she would have turned down in a heartbeat had she not just gone for it and took the challenge to change! Many people dream of working in a city like London, I used to wonder what all the hype was about. Personally never wanting to set foot here and never having London on the cards but well that’s not how it worked out, and I am glad sometimes things happen despite you wanting them not to! I had been applying for positions since December last year to everywhere in the UK but London until as a last resort, I applied for a London position and as luck would have it I got it! All my friends were pretty excited and would do anything to be in my place I even offered them to be my guest but low and behold it all changed the minute I arrived here, now I wouldn’t give this place up even for a million pounds. Seeing the tall buildings, the people out and about in the city accompanied by Alicia Keys’ ‘New York’ in my head (of course New York replaced with London). My life changed forever from that day! I am really glad I got this

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opportunity, London is a city for all, no matter what age, what nationality, it takes everyone in with open arms, and if you are hardworking, success is the reward it gives you with a chance to reach those high rises. They say London is a pretty darn expensive city but it makes up for it by all the free events going on throughout the year (films, walks, seminars, networking) – you name it and you’ll get it. Thanks to my industry (IT) I get to go to a lot of tech start up events and meet really disruptive companies, the people behind them and be inspired. As they say, your network is your net-worth and thanks to the events here I get to mingle and have personal contacts with people from IBM, Google, Microsoft to name a few, it’s that easy for anyone and everyone to have the same. Getting lost or lonely is impossible in London – with helpful people, the best transport and so many meet-up groups it’s easy to meet people from all walks of life and keep working hard to validate the opportunity you get just to land a job here.

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Some people may not be into the big city thing or may be trying really hard but may not find anything but I suggest you keep working for it and you too will be living your dream like I am with a dream job in the city of my dreams!

What kind of internship is worth moving to a different town for? Click here to check out five ways to spot a great internship.

plotr help

HINTS & TIPS

? ticeship n e r p p a or you? y? college? f t x e n what is ent? universit w too – as o m employ if you don’t kn to go for help! y s it’s oka lenty of place p there’s CAREERS INFORMATION & SUPPORT

Bright Track

The first stop we recommend for careers inspiration is the Plotr website (www.plotr.co.uk) the site is packed with the latest career profiles of hundreds of jobs, how you get to the career you want and if you do not know then you can play the Plotr game which builds a profile about you and shows you what careers may suit. It’s a free site and we love it!

www.aspira-consulting.com

The National Careers Service is available if you want to talk to someone, you can go online and web chat with a careers adviser or call them on 0800 100 900 https://nationalcareersservice.direct. gov.uk/aboutus/contactus/Pages/ contact4.aspx

Youth Employment UK – you can of course join our social media pages Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest where we promote latest news, views, advice and opportunities. Be sure to also register to be a Youth Member or Youth Ambassador – you will then get access to a load more resources and information. www.yeuk.org.uk

www.brighttrack.co.uk

Aspira Consulting We also like Careers Box – a website packed with videos showing you the range of careers and opportunities on offer, and Careers Advice for Parents and Young People which covers all the bases in simple bite-sized articles. www.careersbox.co.uk www.careersadviceforparents.org

www.dash.bloomfire.com

Your Career Mentor www.yourcareer-mentor.com

www.ncctrainingresources.co.uk

ENTERPRISE Take a look at Prince’s Trust. www.princes-trust.org.uk

Or our friends; Rock Star Youth www.rockstaryouth.co.uk

Young Britain www.youngbritain.com

APPRENTICESHIPS The obvious starting point is the National Apprenticeship Service – you can find out more about apprenticeships, funding and search for vacancies and training providers near you. www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Also, have a look at our members’ websites; The Apprenticeship Guide www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk

Baltic Training www.balticapprenticeships.com

EMPLOYMENT There are job search websites that also advertise vacancies from apprenticeships to internships and graduate employment. Try; Universal Jobmatch www.gov.uk/jobsearch

Or our friends; Future Talent www.future-talent.com

Rate my Apprenticeship www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk

ApprenticeSupermarket www.apprenticesupermarket.com

Care Training We have some BRILLIANT member organisations who offer support to young people, so along with the main government sites we are happy to encourage you to look at these too!; Employability Hub

Maybe you would like to do some short courses and distance learning, our brilliant member NCC Resources can help you with that:

www.ctem.uk.com

EDUCATION You can search for thousands of college or universities through the UCAS and Unistats websites. http://search.ucas.com http://unistats.direct.gov.uk

Our list is not exhaustive and there are a lot of resources, guides and services for young people. If you have not been able to get help from this list, let us know and we will put you in contact with a specific organisation. Or if you have been helped by an organisation not listed, let us know and we will signpost to them too! emag@yeuk.org.uk

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lch, e w k dor c a s s a by ja b uth am o y K U YE

////////////////////////////////// There almost exists a universal consensus for young people in today’s existing jobs market – the National Minimum Wage (MNW) issue stands as one of the great pressing obstacles yet to be overcome. With an estimated 76,000 of those 1624 year olds on a ‘zero hour contract’ which has almost certainly risen, as 1.4 million of the UK population were registered this year. Conflated by difficulties such as a lack of job-ready skills, underemployment of graduates and employer reluctance to support those who are not ready to assume a position, wages are almost certain to reflect this terrible concoction. According to the Living Wage Commission, 50% of those who are paid under

a living wage are under 30, with statistics particularly reflecting badly on women and disabled people who seem to otherwise be in low-skilled to mediumskilled jobs. However, some writers, such as a piece from the Financial Times, have argued that an increase in the minimum wage, which will increase to £6.50 for over-21s from October, have said that it will only prevent employers seeking the younger generation, in which turn will only damage their future prospects. With many of these questions to be tackled, in came Model Westminster, a social enterprise which helps young people understand the wider political environment and engage in the policy making process. Entitled #MWwage, which helps attendees with Twitter accounts to get debates going on the online trending sphere, the opening plenary was given by current Chair of the Low Pay Commission (LPC), David Norgrove, who confronted the fact that the minimum wage is not a means to live from alone, but is more in fact a supplement to afford everyday living costs. With close to 1.4 million people alone who have jobs on this rate, it highlights the harsh reality that the system itself is there to exist as a code of conduct which lawabiding employers must at least subscribe to, rather than paying workers in this area above or

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below what is expected of them. Interestingly in 2010, the policy was highlighted as the most successful, even above that of the NHS. Kicking off with a series of activities, the first including a debate asking ‘How much am I worth?’, employers were pitted against fellow employees, scrutinising if young professionals were wrongfully taking the jobs of working families and if it was morally right for employers to pay a fair wage to their workers. Fighting from the side of employers, it became increasingly hard to ignore the fact that struggling business owners would lay off, or even seek to outsource their workforce, if pushed too hard by legislation. Further discussions throughout the day also looked at devising an improved and more enforceable system for the minimum wage

NEWS & PERSONAL STORIES

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// in London, as common themes in participant solutions included a cooperative scheme in which each employee would be like a John Lewis partner and take a fair share from the yearly profits produced. There are also reasons why people may be tempted to take this typically unpopular approach, as the company itself gave its ‘Partners’ a 15% increase in their wages earlier this year. Following that, we turned our attentions to an apprentice’s wage, where under-19s currently receive £2.73, are seen to be far too complex and where enforcing a consistent wage is difficult for all employers to comply by and many court cases can result afterwards. The presentations by groups demonstrated an inventive range of solutions extending from apprentice advisors in FE institutions to a UCAS similar site that would be dedicated for the purpose of finding the best opportunities. As the end of the event approached, our group ideas, though reasonable on the surface, seemed to come with a number of drawbacks and limitations to which politicians can both damage the economy, whilst impacting the lives of many ordinary people. If anything else, the event has exposed the greater complexities in maintaining a balance of contentment between the two sides and whether young people will reap any benefits in years to come will have to be seen.

As it stands, it may take time yet anyway to improve the lives of those adults who are already struggling to support their families, where 1.3 million have been stuck on the same wage for a decade. Under-25s, as usual it seems, may have to wait until they become the priority.

/////////////////////////////////////// For more information visit: http://modelwestminster.org.uk/

plotr help Looking at a job opportunity? Want to know how the salary compares to other places? Plotr lists average national wages for over 700 careers.

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Name: Jim Carrick-Birtwell Age: 45 Location: Balham, South London Education to date: BA (Hons) English Literature, Oxford University

////////////////////////////////////// The ethos of Plotr and what are you aiming to achieve? We want to provide inspiration and guidance to help all young people fulfill their potential and get to careers that are right for them. We’re focused on opening up the exciting opportunities that exist in the world of work and helping young people get to careers they’ll love, a step at a time. How is Plotr different from other careers sites? We’re not afraid of having fun or telling the ugly truth and we’re always listening to what young people want. Plotr’s also built around a Game – which finds careers that match to your personality. It allows young people to explore careers in a much more intuitive way. Can you tell us a bit more about ‘The Game’? The Game analyses your personality, interests and needs in life to help you find the best careers for you.

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The more you play it, the better your career matches (but you can always save where you are and come back). At any time you can click through and explore your matches and find out about salary, training and next steps, watch videos of people in the career and lots more. I have tried to register as a user but a confirmation email hasn’t been received. What young people to do when this happens? Registering with Plotr gives our users a more personalised experience, it enables us to give them a full character report to help them explore and be inspired by the world of the work. We want all of our users to be up and running on Plotr as soon as possible, the first thing you should do if you haven’t received an authorisation email it is to check any junk folders you may have. We have found on occasions people mistype their email address. A quick way to check this is to try signing up again. Anyone having any problems can find all of the Plotr contact details at www.plotr.co.uk/contact-us/ NB: users aged 13 and under will have to submit an email for their parent or guardian before we send authorisation to them. Being secure online is a really important issue for Plotr and we take our engagement with young people

really seriously – we would always encourage young people to let their parent or guardian know they are signing up to Plotr and if you are 13 or under let them know to expect an email asking for approval. Your website has opinions for a mixture of apprentices and graduates. Why did you decide to do this? In the modern world there are many different ways into a career and people can choose a route into the world of work that’s right for them – different people will take different routes. You might choose uni and a graduate position, an apprenticeship and be sponsored through uni, or training on the job. They are all options, and Plotr wants to show them all and help you pick the best one for you.

INTERVIEWS

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Where do you see Plotr being in five years? We want Plotr to become a national utility, or everyday service for all young people in the UK. A magical service actually – one that means more people are working successfully in careers they love. We want the young people that are just starting out on their jouney to be able to explore the world of work, try things out, find inspiration and then get all the help they need to achieve their career dreams.

“In the modern world there are many different ways into a career and people can choose a route into the world of work that’s right for them – different people will take different routes. ”

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HINTS & TIPS

pson m i s w by eko This month YEUK caught up with Plymouth based YEUK Ambassador Ekow Simpson, 21, who told YEUK all about his upcoming event.

/////////////////////////////////////// Hi Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Ekow, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a YEUK Youth Ambassador, While growing up, I found it difficult to chase up the career path that I wanted to follow due to lack of guidance and expertise. Currently an undergraduate student, I often hear people around me in university still unsure about what they are going to do after the education phase. With so many employers and training providers who will come together under one roof, this event will help young adults to be exposed to great opportunities and skill based sets on how to secure their dream job. Who knows, something that attendees hear at the event might be the seed of motivation to pursue a certain career path. This event is purely based for young adults who do not know what career path to follow or who need help in whizzing through the application process to get the jobs. Employers will also talk about the particular skills set they need from applicants to enable them to secure a job.

The event will take place in Plymouth. Students, parents, guardians, employers and anyone who feels this event might come to good use for them can come along! What difference do you think this will make for young people in Plymouth? Young people will start to choose the right paths which will make them follow their ambitions. Be it apprenticeships, further education or entrepreneurial the attendees will know the right way to make themselves employable in the job industry, therefore reducing the unemployment rates amongst young people in Plymouth. What difference do you think this will make for employers in Plymouth? For employers, this I believe will create a variety of more skilled personnel in the local economy which will be good for boosting their economic activity which will consequently improve business performance.

/////////////////////////////////////// Live in Plymouth and want to come along? Why not take part in the survey and share your views!

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urney o j e l b i incred n a n o love! go l l ’ u o y ers to care

It all starts with the Game… 1. Play the Game 2. Explore careers matched to you 3. We’ll guide you to what you love

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What is Plotr? Maybe you’ve got a career in mind. Maybe you’re not sure, or open to new ideas. Plotr can help you discover your future and guide you to careers you’ll love. It’s simple… • Play the Game to find careers matched to your personality • Explore employers and careers with videos, hints and tips • Plotr gets to know you and your ‘likes’ for when you continue your journey • Find work experience, apprenticeships and jobs to get started Which careers will match to your personality? What will inspire you? Find out at www.plotr.co.uk

Career love.

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We need you to help us fight youth Unemployment and we are currently recruiting Youth Ambassadors! What our Youth Ambassadors do...

A little...

A bit more...

A lot more...

Send tweets Share updates Write for the monthly E-magazine Support other Ambassadors

Joining us at events Creating content for web sites Running the forum Support other Ambassadors

Leading on a local project raising the profile of YEUK Connect with business Run events Run campaigns in your area

Our ambassadors can spend up to two hours a month others up to ten, as long as you are passionate about making a difference to youth unemployment, you can give us much time as you are willing.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in it for you...? Be part of an exciting organisation making a difference. Be part of a team. Rewards & recognition. Training and support. Actively contribute to your CV with work experience. Annual Ambassadors celebration and awards. Visit us online at: www.yeuk.org.uk Call: 08444 143 101 Email: info@yeuk.org.uk

YouthEmploymentUK Youth Employment UK C.I.C Group @yeuk @YEUK2012

HINTS & TIPS

ight, n k e t e by p ador s s a b m youth a lp to need he u er? o y o D eal care id r u o y identify

Do you need so me change in your life but not sure ho w?

Do any of these questions sound like you? Yes? Well I can help you with all of these through coaching. What is coaching? Coaching is a conversation between two people: the Coach and the Coachee. In simple terms, my role as a Coach is to support you in identifying and achieving your goals using open questions and a variety of tools and techniques.

Are you fe eling stuck and need m otivation?

Do you want to increase your confidence?

This belief was my original motivation for becoming a Coach and NLP Practitioner and to support the impact of coaching Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking for 3-4 young unemployed people.

stressed Are you feeling relax? and need help to

Do you have a be lief about yourself that is holding you ba ck?

s about an Are you anxiou iew, exam upcoming interv ? or presentation

You would receive 6 coaching sessions and an initial intake session, free of charge with the purpose of measuring the impact that coaching has in terms of moving you into employment or, at least, closer to it.

How can coaching help me? Through coaching I will help you to move from where you are now to where you want to be, much quicker than if you were working on your own.

The sessions are conducted faceto-face, via telephone or via Skype depending on your preference and location.

Could I be eligible for free coaching? Having coached many people I strongly believe in the positive impact that coaching can have, moving young people closer to or into employment.

If you are unemployed and interested in taking part in the confidential sessions please contact: peter.knight@yourcareermentor.com

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plotr help Confidence stems from appreciating all your strengths. Explore your potentially hidden strengths with 15 ways youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re awesome without realising it.

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by jack welch, YEUK youth ambassador ///////////////////////////////////////

On the surface, the use of Zero Hour Contracts (ZHC) may just be one of the terrible legacies the present government will have to endure after the end of its term for the flexible employee, but could it actually be a lifesaver when employers themselves would have fewer job opportunities without its existence? It is a debate that has been hotly contested and one which has seen many counter arguments fly around in the present climate. The definition of this measure by government, which is increasingly adopted by a number of industries with high recruitment figures, follows as: “An employment contract in which the employer does not guarantee the individual any work, and the individual is not obliged to accept any work offered.” What with the prospect of this uncertainty, loss of rights which typical employees would otherwise be entitled to and, up until now, ‘exclusivity clauses’ to a single employer which has prevented individuals seeking other employment elsewhere, would appear to be bleak indeed. Perhaps it is almost regressive in respect of rights for employees. An Impact Assessment published last year by the Department for

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Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), calculated that the number of 16-24 year olds on a ZHC was a significant 40% – the highest rate, with those over 65 coming second. However, these numbers should come perhaps as no surprise. A large sector of the numbers are represented by the unskilled labour market and 25% being students, who seek flexible work arrangements during their studies, for them choice for alternative routes during this time is limited. There are approximately, 1.4 million contracts in operation, and a majority of those are either unskilled (or elementary) positions, such as hospitality or public service. Although it is to be emphasised that such practices represented in the ZHC were present pre-election in 2010, the steep increase of ZHCs in as many years since represents a wholly new direction since the days of aspiring for ‘full employment’ in the country. One which looks into the supply and demand of the numbers in a workforce, as well as ensuring that self-sufficiency in finding work opportunities now falls completely into the hands of the individual themselves and a true essence of Conservative philosophy has become realised. Currently a new Bill, sponsored by Business Secretary Vince Cable is making its way through

NEWS & PERSONAL STORIES

“An employment contract in which the employer does not guarantee the individual any work, and the individual is not obliged to accept any work offered.” Definition of Zero Hour Contracts (ZHC)

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Parliament. Entitled the ‘Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill’, this will be the Act which looks to do away with the ‘Exclusivity Clauses’, exploited by some according to Dr Cable, by “unscrupulous employers [who] abuse the flexibility that these contracts offer to the detriment of their workers.” It is worth noting in the initial assessment that concerns over commercial rivalry, an area that alone would impact employers would see workers creating a conflict of interest in their pursuit to find further work. The Consultation framework, which was set out last year, proposed this course of action as one way initially to tackle the problem once and for all, as well as the future direction of the labour market overall. Where this may present good news for those who struggle under low pay packets and to stay afloat with stagnating wages, a standard code of practice still appears conspicuously absent and not meeting the European requirements in respect of the

Working Time Directive. More trouble may yet be on the way for the government. A defining verdict on the conditions of the ZHC continues to be vague and will remain so until a satisfying resolution is reached and explained. With up to 85% of private sector industries using the contracts and a large proportion of people working on that basis and not seeking further employment, a new battle may be on the way if an outright ban is posed by future governments. The system, though broken, remains a life source for the young people who are the lowest achievers in their education and a pathway for the ‘flexibility’ of a contract and to turn the economic clock back now may just be too late. Stringent legislation may once again repeat a similar story to that of the Government V Unions, which plagued Britain throughout the latter part of the 20th century; though this time they will battle the very people who are creating jobs in the first place.

plotr help With 1,000s of youth-friendly employers, opportunities for apprenticeships and internships, career advice tips and an online Game to help you think about career next steps, visit Plotr.

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INTERVIEWS

Whilst in Scotland this month YEUK spoke to Jordan on his employment status. Scotland as he sees it for young people and the YES/NO vote. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Name: Jordan Christie Age: 20 Location: Chapelhall, Scotland ////////////////////////////////////////////// Are you currently employed? Yes, I am currently employed; I am employed with A.T Best Handlers I have been for 4 years. I’m a mechanic and we work on Telehandlers, Manitou and Tackuchi diggers and small fork lifts. I gained this position after starting my training with my previous employer who I was with for three years. I’m still working towards my full certificate to become a mechanical engineer. I’m looking forward to being fully qualified! Did you vote in the referendum? No, I didn’t register in time to get my voting card. Had I have been able to vote I was split, my head would have voted NO, my heart would have voted YES. Once I spoke this through with my grandmother who explained it all to me, I feel that a NO vote was the best outcome. If there had have been a YES vote we would have been at a great risk, I didn’t feel Scotland was financially sustainable at this time to support the country.

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Do you think more needs to be done in Scotland for young people to get in to employment? If yes, what do you see as a priority? Yes, I think young people need support to get into the jobs. There are jobs there but young people are not getting themselves out there. Young people need to actually get out, go round employers and hand in their CV and pick up the phone and ask if there are positions avaible. This is what I had to do to keep me motivated and it worked out really well for me I got into work and got my training started. What message would you give to a young unemployed person looking for work? If they don’t get anywhere, don’t stop trying, don’t get down or let it get to you. Keep trying and keep on it.

plotr help Want to know more? See our ‘How to become a mechanic’ career profile with advice, entry requirements, salary guidelines and getting started tips.

NEWS & PERSONAL STORIES

etic n i k , 4 1 g our r 20 n i e h b c o t n c u in o l be la l i w n o off ’ i t k a c i d k n ‘ u , fo roject p w e n brand /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ‘Kick Off’ is a project aimed to develop youth into employment. Sporteducate uses sport to create a positive effect on young person chances of future success. This is a three year project that provides up to £9,000 per year to fund activities such as employability skills workshops alongside sporting activities to increase the chances of each individual young person becoming employed at the end of the project! Are you at a stage in life where you have finished school but without the necessary qualifications to take you to the next stage? Do you need some help finding paid employment? Kick Off will take you on a journey where you will have opportunities to be shown how to write, enhance and broaden your CV. Practice interview techniques with working professionals, and even gain some valuable work experience along the way! At Kinetic, we believe that you should be able to take something away when you leave us; skills that you can take forward in your pursuit of employment. For this

reason, Kick Off will not only be a project where you are guided on how to prepare your CV. Kick Off will give the you the chance to gain skills such as: teamwork, leadership and confidence through a film making task during the course of the Kick Off project. You will work in teams with other young people and have the opportunity to document your personal journey of the Kick Off/Sporteducate project, you will be guided by Kinetic and external staff along the way. At the end of the project, we hope you will have picked up skills you can put on your CV, as well as a short film you can show to future employers, improving your chances of becoming employed!

plotr help Like sport and open to all kinds of career ideas? Get involved with Kinetic – plus you can also check out Plotr’s sport and fitness world.

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Kinetic Foundation working in partnership with Sported and Deutsche Bank as part of the Sporteducate programme funded by Deutsche Bank.

/////////////////////////////////////// If you would like to be part of this exciting project then please register your interest with us at: kickoff@kinetic-foundation.org.uk or give us a call on 0203 581 3754 to have a chat with us.

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Recruitment

Raising Your Profile

We are reaching out to thousands of young people across the UK through our e-magazine, social media and membership. All of our members are promoted to our young supporters:

We are committed to supporting our members and ensuring they are a big part of our work. Our members get to:

. All young members can access our employer members database. . You can promote your recruitment pages through our members database and social media channels. . You can promote your events to our young supporters . You can attend our events and will be offered opportunities to present to our network of education ambassadors* . Expert support for your recruitment strategy and youth engagement programmes*

. Contribute editorial and case studies for our e-magazine. . Have your logo on our website and in our e-magazine. . Be seen on our members database. . Receive support through our social media channels. . Get involved in our events, competitions and lobbying work. . Work with a dedicated account manager * (*corporate members only)

(*corporate members only)

Information

CSR

All of our members get unlimited access to our online platform and information services:

As a not-for-profit we reinvest 100% of our membership income to developing the services and support for young people across the UK.

. Good Practice Documents . E-Bulletins . E-Magazine . Online Forum . Networking . Resources & Guides . Discounts for YEUK events

. You will be supporting our lobbying and campaigning work. . Sign up for the free national Youth Friendly badge and show your business supports our young generation. . All members have to sign the Positive Youth Charter which shows a deep commitment to youth engagement. . Simply with your support you are investing in a unique and progressive youth organisation.

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Visit us online at: www.yeuk.org.uk Call: 08444 143 101 Email: info@yeuk.org.uk

YouthEmploymentUK Youth Employment UK C.I.C Group @yeuk @YEUK2012

HINTS & TIPS

skilton s i r h c by /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Chris Skilton is Programme Director at Inndie Training Services, a specialist provider of entrepreneurship qualifications. He is an experienced entrepreneur and has run businesses in the UK and Ghana. According to the RBS enterprise tracker 49% of young people aged 18-30 would like to start a business. That is almost a majority of young people but the figure is down from 60% just one year ago and incredibly just 4% of young people are actually in the process of starting their own businesses. This means that the great majority of young people are either not interested in starting a business or are unable to start a business at the moment. Yet I believe that all young people, regardless of their desire to start a business, should approach their careers as entrepreneurs. There is a no general consensus on what makes someone an ‘entrepreneur’. However in the broadest terms I will say that entrepreneurs are individuals who pro-actively identify and pursue opportunities. In short they are making things happen, not waiting for them to happen. It is this ‘opportunity seeking’ behaviour that I think every young person should adopt in order to take charge of their career.

According to a recent survey undertaken by job matching service ‘The Ladders’, about half of all job opportunities are never publicly advertised. This means that if you’ve identified you’re dream job then you will only have a chance to apply 50% of the time. You will massively enhance your career prospects if you can learn to find these hidden opportunities. When jobs are filled without being advertised it usually means that the role has been given to someone within the employer’s network. If you don’t have a professional network then you simply will not hear about many opportunities. Fortunately building a network has never been easier. Start by going to websites like Meetup. com and find a local networking group for your chosen career. If a group doesn’t already exist, start one. However ensure that you focus on building meaningful relationships rather than just accumulating lots of ‘connections’. Focus on what you can give to your network and in time your generosity will be rewarded. Of course it’s not enough just to know about opportunities – you have to be deserving of them as well. One of the reasons that many jobs go unadvertised is that employer’s do not want to

receive hundreds of applications from people who are not even suitable for the role. If you have identified the career you want then make sure you truly understand the skills you will need and then make a plan to get them. Many employers expect young people to have professional and technical skills that are not taught in the classroom. Websites like Coursera and Udacity are excellent places to learn new skills for free. You don’t need to be an entrepreneur in order to act like one. Identify the opportunities that you want and then go after them. Make it happen for yourself – don’t wait.

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plotr help Thinking about becoming an actual entrepreneur? See our ‘How to become an entrepreneur’ career profile with lots of advice, videos and tips from young entrepreneurs who have gone out there and done it.

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////////////////////////////////////////////// YEUK Advisory Board member, David Shindler, interviewed three brilliant young women. All three had in common an independent streak, positive attitude and drive to succeed. They have taken things in their stride and act as great role models. Read about their experience and advice!

Rebecca Fure

y, BT Appren

tice Why an appre nticeship an d with why BT? I was previou sly working in an office environment where the ro le was very repetitive. I re alised I misse d learning new skills an d trying differ ent things, I wanted to g o back into ed ucation. I also wanted to be indepen dent and earn mo ney so I didn’ t think university was for me. I belie ve that apprenticesh ips are the bes t of both worlds as it en ables me to d evelop my skills whilst ea rning money . BT came thro ugh a friend of mine and he recom mended that I applied as they wanted to increase th e amount of females in the service d elivery role. I knew BT was a fantastic co mpany, so it made sense to apply.

to hear their gossip which is sometimes juicer than th e girls’ gossip ! What advice would you g ive school or college st udents abou What careers t an advice helped apprenticesh ip and workin or didn’t when makin g in a g your choic mainly male e? Who from en I never really vironment? ? received any I would say th careers at apprentice advice from an ships are fantastic and yone outside that any stud my parents. They encoura ent who ged me to go doesn’t want for it, they to go to univ knew that it w ersity ould suit me but wants to perfectly and further their that it was a gr learning should grasp eat opportun ity. the opportun ity. I feel that when I w as finishing si What is your xth form, experience o apprenticesh ips were looke f being a woman am d down the ong mainly m push was un iversity. If this ale colleagues? is the case in your situation , then make su I find it extrem re you look into apprenti ely interestin ceships as wel g working with mostly m l as courses at university. en as I get to see their way of appro aching tasks If you’re a wo which may have been diff man interested erent to how doing a stereo in a woman typically mal would. All the e role, then I’d say go for guys I work w it! If it’s the ca ith are very helpful an reer you want then do d non-judgm n’t let this sto ental which makes p you. It’s my job much about time m ore women to easier and enjoyable. An ok on these other bonus roles so the n is that I get ext generatio n won’t see these as pred ominantly m ale jobs.

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ring U ginee n E l i v , Ci Major University e? Lucy degre o r e a t r s o e f h hs s ng Manc neeri ood at mat y. i g n e civil al wa een g hoose oyed and b in a practic c y h j W ills ays en ese sk en I’ve alw to apply th n’t wh d i d d r e want lped o ice he o from? v d a ks h rs caree choice? W hool that as gths, What r c en g you nd str ey at s makin online surv r interests a it being a to ou an //////////I didstions about ycame up due That was the er . g aft hs que ineerin tion of mat ering, then t it I g n e and lica gine abou al app rents red en practic e I conside and my pa rse for me. u rs first tim g to teache e a great co k n on a in li k d a e spe em woma e a s it g n d of bei realise e so ience r e cours d p x y e m ? r e u n s is yo cour 120 o r foun What gineering out of ut I’ve neve hen I ls r i g n civil e re about 15 minority, b tly. Often w they e a g n There definitely th any differe Engineerin l i d e v e i treat we ar ositive udy C being ne I st et a lot of p lf o e s e y m m o then g y tell s initiall rised, but I rp are su

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Elizabeth Sanderson, Assistant Project Manager, CH2M HILL What attracted you to the world of infrastructure? The world is always going to need infrastructure whether it’s a new road, railway or tunnel. It is an industry that is continually providing you with new opportunities both within the UK but also globally. Working on an infrastructure project is also extremely exciting and challenging. Throughout your time on one you get to work with colleagues with a whole host of experience, engage with a diverse set of stakeholders and be part of a team that is working towards a common goal – to get the infrastructure built. What advice did you seek? Who from? How helpful was it? While advice is extremely important when choosing a career path, sometimes there is no

INTERVIEWS t bout i ents a r me m m co fo great being mething so so aleto do nally m akes o i t i d tra It m ated. domin very lucky el me fe e in a place t liv that I ender is no g where regarding ue eing an iss njoy b s are e I d . An type o take der stereo t h s i at gen ath I w reer p f the fact th a c e th o y. mple ountr an exa ng in our c st vi slighte to ive? e g impro h t u n o i se ould y not worry who choo w e c i o s ale adv ay t What certainly s he few fem t f ld o I wou eing one b g. about Engineerin l i v i do C

plotr help Plotr has lots of career worlds dedicated to helping you out in areas of work – whatever your gender or background. Check out ‘Cities, Buildings and Roads’ and ‘Software, Games and Internet’.

substitution for your own judgement and giving things a try. Work experience provided me with a great insight into the options available and enabled me to find the industry that excited me. It is also important to develop and maintain a strong contact base; the more people you get to know in the industry the more career opportunities you will be made aware of which will enable you to tell if it is a profession that you want to be part of. What are the pros and cons of being a woman in infrastructure? What advice would you give? My advice is now is the best time. It’s high on the Government’s agenda – enabling initiatives and opportunities to be created throughout the construction and engineering industries. Get stuck in, work hard and most importantly, as my manager who is a woman always tells me, be prepared to push your own boundaries as you can’t expect anyone else to do it for you.

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In many towns and regions beyond the hub of opportunities available within parts of the South East of England and the capital city itself, the prospects for many young people who live beyond those reaches, especially those where at least 25% of the population are over 65, are far more precarious. Although beloved by tourists and widely renowned for some of the most precious sites in the world, counties such as Dorset are struggling in the face of rapid technological change and demand for jobs that urban areas can in general facilitate. The Weymouth and Portland area is an example of a seaside town which has faced a difficult challenge in combating rates of youth unemployment, when in 2010 it was found that over 30% of 16-24 year olds were still at that time on Jobseekers Allowance. Critical coverage from The Observer recently has not been of great help to the cause of rebooting the town’s image and

continuing migration of young people to more prosperous parts of the country will only fuel the terrible risk of decline in the area. Currently, small – but highly promising – steps are being taken to combat some of these difficulties, as Weymouth and Portland Borough Council are currently conducting a Masterplan, which in their words will “offer a wide choice of housing, jobs, facilities and services – now and into the future. Action is also needed to protect the town against the increasing risk of flooding, from land and sea.” In collaboration with the new #weyforward enterprise, a portal introduced to encourage the drive for change in the town, the council are currently consulting the people in the town for how they would envision the town in 10 years’ time. An event hosted on Weymouth’s ‘Pleasure Pier’, a location largely identified as an area of neglect in the town, people were able to watch the live music on offer

HINTS & TIPS

from community radio station, AIR FM, and offer their views on what could be done to improve the town. Along with fellow Weymouth-based YEUK Ambassador, Paul, I was able to talk live on radio with a segment on the campaigns YEUK delivers and why it was vital that young people become a priority within the area. I was able to network with numerous councillors on the issues the town faces – including a suggestion to contact Labour’s nominated candidate for Dorset South, Simon Bowkett. Discussions also took place with representatives from Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce and Swindon’s community radio station on promoting YEUK’s work further afield. Although still at early stages, it can only be hoped that a new renaissance for the town may occur, especially for the sake of young people’s job prospects, and that community cohesion in towns such as these will only be strengthened as a result.

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plotr help Live in the South East of the UK? Have a look at local work experience and job opportunities for young people in Weymouth and the surrounding areas.

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HINTS & TIPS

Baltic Training Services is delighted to announce that it will be licensed to offer Tech Industry Gold apprenticeships, the employer-designed apprenticeship programmes that equip young people with the skills for a career in technology. Tech Industry Gold is a new accreditation, designed to point employers and prospective apprentices to programmes that deliver top quality learning and development. The course standards have been set by employers through the Tech Partnership, a growing collaboration of employers working to create skills for the digital economy, with the support of e-skills UK. They have been created to ensure that participants develop the blend of technical, business and interpersonal skills that are much in demand in the workplace. Organisations across the tech sector have laid down the programmes, facilitated by e-skills UK, the employer body for technology skills. Tech Industry Gold programmes also include access to online services for employers, including advice and guidance on delivering the programmes, plus networking and up-to-date learning resources from industry leaders. “Tech Industry Gold programmes are a great addition to our offering,” says Tony Hobbs, Managing Director of Baltic Training Services. “The fact that the course standards are set by the industry means that prospective apprentices can be confident that what they are learning is really relevant to the workplace,

and their employers can be sure that their new team members will become productive fast. The additional support, like networking and resources, is an important bonus: it means that apprentices in smaller organisations will have an experience similar to that to big corporates, and will develop the kind of industry awareness that will stand them in good stead in their careers.“

/////////////////////////////////////// For further information please visit www.e-skills.com/ apprenticeships

• Tech Industry Gold apprenticeships are licensed by the Tech Partnership, a growing collaboration of employers working to create skills for the digital economy, with the support of e-skills UK. They are recognised as delivering high quality learning and development that meet the skills needs for employment in the sector. Employer members of the Tech Industry Gold network share best practice benefit from online resources and contribute to the tech sector’s work in increasing uptake of apprenticeships. Tech Industry Gold apprentices benefit from industry – developed course standards, supported by up-to-date online resources, ensuring that the develop the technical, business and interpersonal skills to make a swift contribution to their employers. • Baltic Training Services www.baltictraining.com are a forward thinking, innovative apprenticeship provider who strive for excellence. Working with leading employers in the IT sector we endeavour to re-ignite the economy by ensuring we secure talented, driven, energetic young adults for apprenticeship opportunities. • The Tech Partnership www.thetechpartnership.com is a growing network of employers, collaborating to create the skills to accelerate the growth of the digital economy. Its leadership includes the CEOs of major companies in the tech industry, heads of technology from companies across the economy, and small company representation. It is recognised by government as the Industrial Partnership for the Information Economy.

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Aspire Education, which organises STEMtech LIVE careers events has recently welcomed to its Cheshire offices five interns, all recent graduates, and been awarded ‘Youth Friendly’ status by YEUK. For the young employees it’s a great opportunity to gain valuable real-life experience – and the company benefits also, by having fresh ideas and a ‘youth’ perspective, which is particularly valuable as many of the attendees at the STEMtech’s events will themselves be students and recent graduates.

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meet the interns...

Kristen Lee-Mottishead, 23 From: Oldham, Greater Manchester. Studied: Business Studies at Staffordshire University. Goals for the internship: To gain more experience of organising events on a larger scale and having more responsibility to run my own events. Long terms goals: Continue to work within education. I would ideally like to gain more experience within marketing. Kristen can’t live without: eos strawberry lip balm, I literally apply this every 5 mins of the day!

Rebecca-Bo Ejgierd-Waring, 21 From: Tytherington, Cheshire. Studied: BA(Hons) Business Studies at the University of Lincoln. Goals for the internship: Aspire’s scale and working environment will also be very important in guiding me towards organisations with similar or different setups in the future. Long term goals: Working to impact my community whether on a local, national or international scale is important to me. Would like to travel to work by: Teleportation – the traffic is a nightmare!

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Lauren Newbery From: Chorlton, Studied: Drama Moores Universit Goals for the int back from the wo see what I can le based job. Long term goals that makes a difference and an impact Was surprised when starting work: Ho the company. I haven’t had the experien company such as this before, and I was start, but I feel so at ease now and I’m r surprised how much I truly crave choco Would like to travel to work by: My ow getting lifts in each day. Just need to so

INTERVIEWS Tony Marsh, 22 From: Scunthorpe. Studied: Interactive media design at Liverpool John Moores University. Long term career goals: To start my own music festival – on a global scale! I would also like to further myself in the marketing and the design aspects of things. Tony says: “I am looking forward to getting real work experience in events management, also a chance to show my creative side and push some ideas through into the company.” Tony can’t live without: Chicken – or hair wax.

Lindsay Brownless, 23 From: North East but now lives in Sheffield. Studied: Performance and Events Production BA(Hons) at Teesside University. Graduated with 1st Class Honours. Goals for the internship: Gain experience in Events Organisation and Events Management, including marketing and PR. Long term career goals: To work internationally and to become an Events Manager. Was surprised at work by: How welcome I have been made to feel in such a short time. Lindsay can’t live without: iPod Touch. Take my phone, just leave me with my music!

y, 21 Manchester. at Liverpool John ty. ternship: Take a step orld of theatre, and earn from an education

s: Working within a field on someone. ow well I fitted into nce of working in a s really nervous at the really enjoying it. Also olate! wn car, rather than ort out the insurance!

what’s in it for the employer? “As an education and careers company we are committed to the development of young people and internships are great way of supporting individuals with real opportunities to grow their careers,” says Tina Lucas, Founder and CEO of Aspire Education. “In addition, as a rapidly expanding company, we can meet our own recruitment needs whilst tapping into the unlimited creative potential of a group of young people who bring valuable insight and knowledge of our target audience for our STEMtech Live careers events, the first which is in Leeds in February.”

/////////////////////////////////////// YEUK says: Internships are a great way to kick-start your career. You can use the opportunity to really impress your employer, as there may be the potential of a permanent position sometime in the future. And even if you subsequently end up working elsewhere, you will get handson experience, insight into the business and a network of contacts for the future. STEMtech will join the likes of other youth-friendly employers such as Santander, Kent County Council, Tesco and Tui Travel, and be able to display The Youth Friendly badge on its website.

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YEUK

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