The Collaborative Future work experience pilot scheme officially kicked off last week at contemporary coworking, shared office and event space, Works Social. The partnership raised over £3,400 to fund the innovative scheme earlier this year and has been matching freelancers and small business with interested candidates since September.
Officially launched on Tuesday 22nd October, the scheme will see six (18-24 year olds) not in full-time education and employment take on flexible two-week, paid work placements within a community of freelancers and small businesses. Collaborative Future will support the businesses and young people involved to get the most out of the experience.
The six young people have been partnered up with 12 businesses including photographer, The Picture Whole, zero waste shop, Shop Zero, marketing and PR consultancy, Big Old House, Skate Nottingham, wellness and life coaches Impact People and Change and Bespoke Life Coaching, film experience and events freelancer, Based on a True Story Cinema and student opportunities firm, Organised Fun. With career aspirations in retail, social media and PR, personal training and other freelance entrepreneurial endeavours, the work experience will provide a variety of skills they can use in their future careers.
From Bilborough, 20 year old Emmanuel Mbetewa, known as Manny, is one of the young people hoping to benefit from the scheme, he said: “I joined the programme so that I can gain valuable experience coaching people and understanding individuals to better improve my expertise in the field of personal training. I’m also hoping to get a better understanding of marketing and what it takes to gain clients. This work placement is a great opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone, gain knowledge and learn new things.”
Tessa Cooper, Founder of Collaborative Future said: “I can’t quite believe that only in April this was an idea fizzing around in my head and now, thanks to a successful crowdfunder and some amazing support we are here at Works Social with six young people on paid placements. Already it’s great to see so many people building connections, learning about different ways of doing business and developing their skills to make work work for them!”
The work placements are being hosted at Works Social to provide a safe base for everyone and to remove any barriers for freelancers or businesses based out of their own homes. The contemporary coworking space is providing access to its desk and meeting room space for events, briefings and 1-2-1 meetings with businesses and the young people on the scheme, as well as marketing support.
Han van Oudheusden, Co-Founder of Works Social said: “We’re all about collaboration, bringing together like-minded people and helping people follow their passions. It’s great to see so many of our members being involved in a scheme that helps them minimise any potential risks and overheads of employing interns/apprentices, while also gaining benefits of the skills and fresh perspective that young people can provide.”
The Collaborative Future scheme has been made possible thanks to official supporters Works Social, Cleo., Armakuni and Tech Nottingham and the funds raised as part of the crowdfunding campaign. The ambition is to regularly repeat this scheme all year round and make it possible for other people to replicate the work placement model in other cities.
For more information about Works Social visit: https://www.workssocial.co.
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