Horsham council has been working with JobCentre plus across the district to get many young people into work experience placements. They have recently celebrated their 100th placement, through the help of Age UK Horsham, who have hired Jamie Waller to work in one of their team kitchens.

The young man will carry out a number of jobs in his role, including helping to prepare food, helping to run the catering service and generally learning food hygiene and about different dietary requirements.

The current government is promoting a ‘Get Britain Working’ scheme, to help young people who are on Jobseekers benefit to gain key experience across a number of industries. Those aged between 18 and 24 are eligible for the scheme. In between January 2012 and present day, more than 100 youngsters have been placed in work experience opportunities across Horsham, including at the Council and other local public sector organisations. Naturally, a number of the placements lead on to full time employment, a fantastic outcome for the youngsters as they begin to receive a wage for all their hard work!

The placements are between two and eight weeks, and help to significantly improve key office, administration and computer skills. This in-turn improves their CVs and employment prospects, they are able to have employer references, and ultimately it helps them to achieve their long term goal of getting a job.

Many employers have been truly impressed with the standard of work produced from these placements, proving the success of the scheme. Young people are given a chance to show their capabilities to a potential long term employer. Equally, employers have the chance to develop the talent of their young staff, with them potentially building a career in the company.
Age UK have been particularly pleased with their work experience placements, and highly impressed by their attitudes, the skills they have to offer and the enthusiasm they bring to the job. They would openly invite young people to chat about potential employment opportunities with them through the work placement scheme.

Another success for the ‘Get Britain Working’ campaign!