Thameslink helps Prince’s Trust unemployed youths into work

Three young unemployed people from Luton and Flitwick have been given full-time jobs at St Albans and Bedford stations with train company Thameslink after graduating from a programme run with youth charity The Prince’s Trust.

The three were part of a group of 11 who gained work experience and training in customer service at stations in Bedford, Luton, Luton Airport Parkway, Harpenden, St Albans, Elstree and London St Pancras and King’s Cross under Thameslink’s ‘Get Into Railways’ programme.

Thameslink’s Passenger Service Director Stuart Cheshire said: “We identified three superstars from the group who we’re taking on full-time because they fit in with the attitudes and behaviours that can really change our business.

“The moment I met them at our end of course celebration event I said, ‘We have to keep these people in our organisation!’ We may also be able to find positions for the other eight if commercial conditions allow over the next 12 months.” • Tom Fuller, 21, of Luton, is working on the ticket gates, helping passengers at Bedford.

Tom said: “Lots of people I know have got into work through Thameslink’s Prince’s Trust programme and it’s changed their lives. If you haven’t got the best grades it’s very difficult to even get a job interview. I like the fact I will be out there talking to passengers and helping them.”

• Becky Emery, 20, of Flitwick, is working on the ticket gates at St Albans. Becky said: “I left school without any qualifications and everyone asks for five GCSEs and it is so hard to get an interview. I’d kind of lost hope doing part-time dead-end jobs. Now I’m doing something I am proud of. This is life changing.”
• Michael Suszek, 21, of Luton is working as a platform assistant at St Albans. Michael graduated from university with a psychology degree but without work experience could not get any further. He has been gaining experience at Elstree & Borehamwood station. He said: “The Prince’s Trust gave me the opportunities I needed.”

The ‘Get Into Railways’ programme gave all 11 18-25 year olds a free four-week, two-day programme which was split into learning and a two-week work placement at a station. By learning about customer service at stations, Thameslink gives delegates the confidence and skills to make them ready for either work, further education or an apprenticeship.

Bedford station manager Sam Bowler said: “I like seeing the progression. I’m like a proud mum. I know what this does for these guys.”

Thameslink has run programmes for three years which have given 84 candidates their first taste of life on the railway, 53 of them staying on to pursue a career with Thameslink. Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which owns Thameslink, is extending the programme to other parts of its network with courses starting in the New Year in Stevenage on the Great Northern route, and Croydon on Southern.

GTR is also training 20 of its staff to act as progression mentors for the new recruits.

ends

Notes to editor

Govia Thameslink Railway

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) began running Thameslink (Bedford to Brighton, Sutton and Wimbledon) and Great Northern (London to Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn) rail services on 14 September 2014.

A small number of services and stations previously operated by Southeastern transferred to GTR in December 2014 and on 26 July 2015 the Southern and Gatwick Express routes were incorporated into the franchise. GTR is now the largest rail franchise in the UK in terms of passenger numbers, trains, revenue and staff:

GTR carries about 273 million passenger journeys per year, employs around 6,500 people and generates annual passenger revenues of approximately £1.3bn. www.thameslinkrailway.com

About The Prince's Trust Youth charity

The Prince's Trust helps disadvantaged young people to get their lives on track. It supports 13 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion. Many of the young people helped by The Prince's Trust are in or leaving care, facing issues such as homelessness or mental health problems, or they have been in trouble with the law. The Trust's programmes give vulnerable young people the practical and financial support needed to stabilise their lives, helping develop self-esteem and skills for work. Three in four young people supported by The Prince's Trust move into work, education or training. The Prince of Wales' charity has helped 750,000 young people since 1976 and supports over 100 more each day. Further information about The Prince's Trust is available at princes-trust.org.uk or on 0800 842 842.