Every young person should have the opportunity to thrive – no matter their background or experiences. They’ve suffered more than most as a result of the pandemic, and in some cases, it’s knocked their confidence and made it more difficult for many to find routes into work.
Youth workers are often crucial in helping young people to overcome barriers to employment. They play a hugely important role, acting as a trusted adult for those who need them. They are the golden thread, linking youth with future opportunities to succeed and grow.
And it’s not just young people who benefit. In its ‘Untapped’ report, national youth organisation, UK Youth, found youth work is already saving the government £3.2m a year through improved education and employment outcomes and positive impacts on mental health. It’s also contributing £5.7m annually to the wider economy through jobs, volunteering and local suppliers.
That’s why Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) is working with UK Youth and Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) through its Building Connections initiative. Launched last year, it aims to support youth workers in building partnerships and networks with Manchester businesses, and turn those connections into opportunities for young people locally.
To find out more about the important impact youth work is having in Manchester, Holly Firmin, senior community partnerships manager at CCEP GB, which manufactures Coca-Cola products from five sites across GB, spoke to Liz Gregory, programme coordinator at GMYN.
“In my experience, the biggest barrier young people face to employment is having the practical tools to apply and understand how to get through the recruitment process. They often don’t have the support, time or skills to write a CV, understand what the application is asking for, or know how to present themselves at an interview.
"The process is a real minefield for them, with every employer asking young people to apply in a different way, often without understanding that some have additional needs or English as a second language.
“Many young people also lack the confidence and ability to advocate for themselves. They might have unstable home circumstances and all they want is a job to help alleviate financial worries, but feel they lack experience and don’t know what they bring to the table.
“The Building Connections Programme has provided the capacity to really work with young people on these practical and soft skills they need to secure a job and go on to be successful in it.
"By getting young people into the same room as employers or visiting their site, it provides a relaxed setting to help reduce some of the barriers they are experiencing. It empowers them, so they can understand their potential and value in the world of employment, helping them to feel good about going to work.”
Thanks to the invaluable support of youth work, CCEP hopes to see the Building Connections programme continue to grow, creating more opportunities for young people in Manchester to find their way into a rewarding career.
