A new service to help 16 & 17 year olds get back on track with future career options has been launched this month.
Young Work Wiltshire will be working with 16 & 17 year olds who are not in any form of education, employment or training (NEET). The service will offer ideas and provide support to access jobs and training which match their future goals.
Often young people who are not in any education, employment or training face multiple barriers to their participation and need a different type of support.
Young Work Wiltshire will look to address this with two key priorities:
• Signposting and advice for young people who are NEET to support them into jobs, further education, apprenticeships or other training
• Tracking young people from the age of 16 years up to September after their 18th birthday as part of the September Guarantee, when all young people should have a suitable offer of education or training after they complete their GCSE year.
The service will provide one-to-one support for young people who need help to find the right opportunity for them. This can be face to face, by phone or online.
This support includes
• Engaging with a young person and helping them understand the provision available
• Help them to find and apply for a suitable education or training course
• Help them find and apply for an apprenticeship
• Job search and application help
• CV and interview skills
• Drop-ins and job clubs from our local towns
• Support in transitioning to the new opportunity.
Conservative Cllr Pauline Church, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills said: "Young people are often told there are so many opportunities available to them but sometimes it can be difficult to know which path to choose, which option is best for you.
"This service will help those who really need support to look afresh at the possibilities and move forward with the jobs or training that suits them best."
The service will be available to help young people from aged 16, after they leave school and up to September after their 18th birthday, who are not in any form of education or training and are unemployed. Schools, sixth forms and colleges offer information and guidance on young people's options to ensure suitable progression is made after leaving school or finishing their studies.
For some young people support is provided by other local authority teams, specifically the SEND service for young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and those working with the Youth Offending Team (YOT).
People who know of a young person who needs support, can contact [email protected] Direct Tel: 01225 716890 or go to https://workwiltshire.co.uk/young
