New Charter pledges to tackle youth unemployment

Published by KBarnes for New Charter Housing Trust Group in Housing and also in Communities, Education

Social housing landlord, New Charter Homes, is helping to tackle youth unemployment by starting work placements with its caretaking and grounds maintenance teams.

As a major employer in the area and the largest housing provider in Tameside, New Charter has pledged to reduce worklessness in its neighbourhoods with the launch of a three-year GREAT Opportunities programme.

The programme aims to give tenants more opportunities for employment and learning by offering work placements and apprenticeships as well as volunteering and training schemes to help people get ‘job ready’.

It also looks at co-ordinated activities in communities to target the unemployed and developing partnerships with agencies to increase opportunities.

This year, the housing association has teamed up with Job Centre Plus to run voluntary work experience placements for 18 to 25-year-olds and this week, it welcomed the first of its new starters.

23-year-old Stuart Wilde and Lee Wilson, 24, both from Ashton have started eight week voluntary placements with New Charter’s caretaking team Clean Care.

Stuart and Lee are currently out of work and applied for the work placements to help them develop practical skills and get the experience that employers look for.

While working with the CleanCare team they will be litter picking, removing bulk waste from properties, helping to clean up graffiti and keeping tower blocks tidy.

Stuart said: “My grandad worked for New Charter for more than 20 years and I was really keen to get through the door as I know they can provide great training opportunities.

“Hopefully, once I have more experience, it will open up other opportunities to permanent work in and around Ashton.”

Lee, who is also a New Charter tenant, added: “After being out of work for six months, I applied for the placement to get the experience and confidence to get back into the working environment.”

New Charter is also offering work placements in other areas of its business including admin and with its grounds maintenance team Green Charter which looks after public open spaces and communal areas on estates.

Tony Powell, New Charter’s executive director of neighbourhoods said: “Getting people back into work not only helps individuals to build their confidence, it helps to create better communities.

“It’s our priority to help as many people as we can but in particular, we need to be supporting young people who are finding it incredibly difficult to even get into any sort of work after education.

“As a major employer in Tameside we’ve got an important role to play in making sure we continue to offer opportunities to young people and even through tough economic times we’re committed to finding ways we can support our communities.

“Work placements are a great option for young people looking to develop practical skills and get some good experience on their CV and we’re really pleased that we’re able to work with Job Centre Plus to deliver the programme.”

Maureen Stafford from Jobcentre Plus said: “We continue to work in partnership with New Charter to support the Get Britain Working agenda. The opportunities provided by New Charter offer valuable work experience, providing a young person with the chance to improve their CV and skills, greatly enhancing their chances to move into sustainable employment.

“Businesses and organisations in every sector can all play their part and get involved.”

More details can be found at www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/work-experience-guide.pdf

Earlier this year, New Charter launched new apprenticeships with its building company and in the near future it will be offering opportunities in volunteering.