Chris Barker, CEO
Leicester-based company creates 22 new roles across the business to support unemployed young people.
As part of the government’s Kickstart Programme, Spirit are recruiting 22 young and out of work people across Leicester to join the business for six months, gaining a variety of skills including IT, customer services, HR, marketing, finance and working in Spirit’s GP surgeries.
The Kickstart Programme is a government-subsidised scheme, aiming to help young people who are at risk of long-term unemployment to get back into work. Jobs from the Kickstart scheme are open to 16-to-24 year-olds who are claiming Universal Credit, for a six month period across England, Scotland and Wales.
With many struggling during these challenging times, and unemployment rates rising – reaching the highest level it has in more than four years, it’s more critical than ever to invest in young people. Spirit Health will be providing young people with the opportunity to gain essential skills and experience, essentially increasing their chance of employability.
As well as on-site training and work experience, kickstarters will have access to external and internal bespoke training. This is key in increasing their chances of securing employment, building their experience and skills in the workplace, and also their confidence through ongoing learning and development workshops.
As part of the scheme, Spirit has created a bespoke plan for the programme, with Vanessa Reading, the Company’s Culture and Communications Lead, taking on the role of the Kickstart-Lead, who will be providing pastoral support for the kickstarters. As well as on the job training and shadowing by colleagues, a buddy system will be put in place so that those on the programme can work alongside their colleagues and continue to be supported in an engaging way.
Kerry Taylor-Kenyon, People Director at Spirit, said: “We’re excited to start the recruitment process as part of the Kickstart Programme, and hope to find a variety of people who fit into Spirit’s positive culture, who wish to progress further and make a difference, and as a business, we will do whatever we can to support this. This is a great opportunity for us as a growing organisation to give something back to those in the community who need it most, particularly through these challenging times.”
Chris Barker, CEO at Spirit, concludes: “Our business is dedicated to investing in the next generation; we realise the importance of supporting job creation and are committed to providing exciting opportunities for those who are unemployed. Everybody is welcome – we aim to create a diverse pipeline of future talent within our workforce and help them to increase their chances of future success in recruitment, preparing them for the world of work.”
If you are between 16 to 24 years old and out of work and would be interested in taking part in the Kickstart Programme, please visit your local Jobcentre for more information.
