It’s important for employers to notice and appreciate the skills that young people can bring to the table, which they often don’t fully realise themselves. Pia Tanneraho at London Stadium, who are working in partnership with our members Digital Me on the Working for Success campaign, explains how they have taken steps to recognise talent in young people.
We have a long tradition of creating volunteering and employment opportunities for young people. We recognise that often getting the first work experiences are the hardest, and that many young people struggle at selling themselves and recognising their own talents.
The first step we took in supporting them along this road about 10 years ago was to set up a structured volunteering programme, where young people could gain work experience in a supportive environment, receive mentor support, and gain accreditation to evidence their personal development. Our new programme with For Success Foundation and Digital Me that is funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation is building on this experience. We can now support young people who are NEETS to build up their employability skills through a structured course to help them start getting ready for the world of employment, and support them to identify ways forward. Through the course the young people can benefit again from mentoring support, as well as improved self-confidence, and an understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and ways to move forward.
In our own Learning Centre, we welcome young volunteers to act as Peer Mentors to develop their leadership skills and gain work experience. This also gives them a great opportunity to communicate with education professionals as equals, giving them a chance to develop a working vocabulary and a confidence to act as a front line customer service professionals.
Many of our volunteers have over the years progressed in to TA positions, Teacher Training, to Youth Service as well as other careers within Local Authority as a direct result of their involvement with us. Investing in young people is the core of our business and its future
