Great Northern and Prince’s Trust helps unemployed youngsters find work

Pictures from the end-of-programme celebration event (held at Stevenage) can be downloaded here

Eight young unemployed people from Welwyn Garden City, Luton, Hertford and Letchworth, have graduated from a ‘Get Into Railways’ job support programme run by train company Great Northern and youth charity The Prince’s Trust.

The Trust targets young people who have experienced difficulties finding or sustaining work either because they have been out of work too long, been in care, are offenders/ex-offenders or struggled at school.

The youngsters, aged between the ages of 18 and 25, attended a four week programme, which included practical skills development, the chance to build their CVs, as well as experiencing a number of mock interviews with Great Northern staff. They then completed two weeks of practical work experience at a range of stations, including King’s Cross and Finsbury Park.

Throughout the programme, The Prince's Trust helped the young people develop their confidence, as well as employment skills. The individuals will now be reviewed against vacancies within Great Northern to see if they can be considered for a job.

Speaking at a celebration event at Stevenage, Great Northern’s Passenger Service DirectorKeith Jipps said:

“I really enjoyed hearing how the young people have developed. The eight have shown an amazing amount of passion for the railway, learnt new skills and developed their confidence. They should be very proud of themselves, as we all are.

“I am equally pleased with the way our managers and teams have welcomed the group into our business and supported them throughout. This is a great programme and I really do hope we can identify some opportunities for the candidates to join us.”

The practical work experience included a day with members of Great Northern staff who have volunteered to act as mentors for them over the next six months, irrespective of whether they achieve employment now or at a later point. This was a fantastic success with all the group requesting a mentor, compared to the average 20% take up for other "Get Into" schemes run by the trust.

The programme concluded with the group presenting details about their journeys and how they have developed, to a group of representatives from both The Prince's Trust and Great Northern staff.

Candidate Michael O’Callaghan, of Luton, said:

“This experience has been very rewarding and it has really helped me to grow as a person. I have developed my confidence and am really proud to have completed this.”

Micha Curtis-Weddle, also of Luton, added:

“This has been a fantastic opportunity to improve my skills and meet others. I have loved every minute of it and really had the time of my life.”

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which owns Great Northern, is committed to running three programmes each year across its network. The next course is already under way in Croydon.

John O’Reilly, Director for The Prince’s Trust in Central England said: “We know that most young people are motivated to get into work, contribute to society and be successful in their lives. As well as developing skills and providing experience, the Get into Railways programme, with our fantastic partners Great Northern, bridges the gap between employers and young job seekers. Congratulations to all of the young people involved.”

Ends

Editor’s notes

The eight candidates were: Callum Rogers of Letchworth; Andrew Kiddie and Nathan Clark of Welwyn Garden City; Micha Curtis-Weddle, Ian Ward and Michael O’Callaghan of Luton; Ben Brett of Hertford and Otis Mitchell of London