A partnership between Amazon and children’s charity Barnardo’s to get care leavers and other young people into work is to be expanded after a successful trial in the North East.
The JOBS (Journey of Becoming Successful) project works with young people, many of whom have experience of the care system, to develop the skills needed to secure work and develop their careers. The programme has seen 83% of participants finish the course and secure full-time work or a return to education.
Amazon funds 10 weeks of pre-employment training for candidates with the aim of a permanent job at the company or another employer at the end of the course. The programme focuses on building up the confidence, mental and physical health, and skills of young people to enable them to achieve their full potential.
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It was trialled at four Amazon locations, including the company’s fulfillment centre at Gateshead. More of the company’s centres will now be added with the aim of getting help to 500 young people by 2025.
Barnardo’s CEO Lynn Perry said: “The cost-of-living crisis means that many more children and young people are growing up in poverty and missing out on opportunities, which affects their future prospects. We are delighted that through our partnership with Amazon, we can now help even more young people across the UK to build routes into employment and education within their local community thanks to the expansion of our JOBS Project.”
Amazon’s UK country manager John Boumphrey said: “I am exceptionally proud of our partnership with Barnardo’s. We believe in the potential of all young people, and know that Amazon is a place their careers can start, grow and thrive.
“Working alongside Barnardo’s we have seen the programme grow from strength to strength and, most importantly, it’s having an incredible impact on the lives of young people. This initiative is unique in the level of support it provides and I am immensely proud of both the young people themselves and of our Amazon team which is making great strides to improve and expand its reach.”
The project has so far supported 65 young people, including Autumn, who got a job at Amazon’s Gateshead site. She had grown up with periods in care and foster care.
She said: “The JOBS programme has really helped give me a focus in life. It’s a 10-week course which is really varied, but touches on everything you’d need before starting work at Amazon. We had sessions around abuse, alcohol, health and nutrition, and more practical site trainings around hazards, and safety. We covered so much, and had a chance to visit the Amazon centre and see what it would be like. I felt well prepared.
“It focuses my mind on something better, and I feel like I am on a good path. I enjoy work and I enjoy being in the team. I have hopes for the future now and want to continue working here.”
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