“Get A Job” Rolls Out Across Youth Zone Network

The young people of the North West are a step closer to finding work, further education or training as our “Get A Job” scheme rolls out across six Youth Zones, thanks to funding from the Accenture UK Foundation and AO Smile Foundation.

The project, which is now in its second year, originally saw our Youth Zones; Manchester (The Factory), Wigan and Oldham (Mahdlo) pilot the course with 209 young people. Due to its success, where 82% of these members moved onto employment, education or training, the project is now being rolled out to include the three remaining Youth Zones; Blackburn, Carlisle and Bolton Lads and Girls Club.

The fact all our Youth Zones will now be able to benefit from this project is fantastic news. Not only will this impact upon a huge number of young people, but local businesses and the local communities will also reap the rewards.

Each Youth Zone will work with 70 young people, who through a combined grant of £257,000 from Accenture UK Foundation and the AO Smile Foundation, will all receive training to help them gain the skills needed to compete in the modern job market.

“The funding we are providing will help many young people in the region to develop the skills they need to find a job which brings them, their families and their local communities more financial independence,” said Fiona Gibson, managing director for Accenture in the North West. “We are equipping more than 700,000 people around the world with the skills to get a job or build a business through our Skills to Succeed initiative and this is another important step towards achieving that goal.”

Karen Dudleston, Foundation Manager at AO Smile Foundation said: “Too many young people in the UK, lack the confidence, motivation or skills to find a job which they feel passionately about and see a future in. At the AO Smile Foundation we truly believe this must be put this right. It makes financial and economic sense to encourage these young people to become invested in their own futures and the chance to find work; so eventually they can make a positive contribution to their society. We are thrilled to support the “Get A Job” scheme, and provide the opportunity for young people to move ahead in a positive way.”