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Are you aged 16 - 24 and not currently in employment, education, or training?

Are you on New Deal, Job Seekers Allowance, EMA, or E2E?

Are you looking to improve your employability?

Are you looking to gain practical skills and experience in the workplace?

Are you looking to try something different?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then the "Whatever!" project is for you.

“Before the ‘Whatever!’ project I was not interested in getting a job and did not see why it was so important. But I was really grateful for the opportunity to learn some new skills. I worked very hard on the placement and have now been offered a full time job. I will be starting a college course to do an Apprenticeship in painting and decorating. I would recommend this project to anyone.” CHRIS, AGE 19

What is "Whatever!"?

Westlea works with other partners and local companies to offer young people work experience placements.

You get the chance to gain "hands-on" work experience alongside skilled staff and get support from someone at the company where you complete your placement. This means you get real experience of work that will, hopefully, lead to an apprenticeship, full-time employment, or help you back into education.

Who is the project for?

• Young people aged between 16 and 24 not in employment, education or training.
• You do not need any qualifications and will be assessed according to ability and your wish to be involved.

What do I get out of it?

• Three to four days a week work experience.
• A personal ‘mentor’ to give support.
• Information and advice to help you find employment.
• Access to training.
• A certificate of competence.
• A reference.

Westlea has places waiting for trainees:

We have opportunities in lots of different work environments including:

• Multi-trade building and maintenance
• IT and office administration
• Furniture recycling
• Unisex hairdressing
• Animal and pet care
• Community development projects
• ...and many more!

Places are limited so get in touch now (details below)... don’t miss this exciting opportunity to gain work experience with some leading local companies.

Want to find out more, or talk about what's involved?

Please contact Lisa Wroe at Westlea Housing:
text ‘WHATEVER’ to 07775 817096
email lisa.wroe@westlea.co.uk
phone 01249 466159.

Or you can download a copy of the brochure here.

“We've got young people with skills and a keeness to work just waiting for this opportunity to prove to an employer that they can do the business.”
Simon Watson, Westlea Housing

“Given the chance young people are eager to learn a trade and prove to an employer that they can work to the exacting standard a company requires.”
Jeff Bourne, Ultra Warm

Are you an employer that can offer a young person (aged 16-24) not in employment, education, or training the following?

• A work placement for 13 weeks for four days a week.
• A 'work mentor' that would encourage, support and enable the young person to carry out the role to the best of their ability. (We can provide training for this.)
• Training for the young person in practical skills, with a structured training programme.
• A certificate in competence once the young person has completed the 13 week work placement.

There are no hidden costs and no obligation for you to take on the young person once they have completed the course.

You will be providing an opportunity for young people who may not otherwise get the chance!

What you'll need to do

• Liaise with the approved training provider regarding timesheets, training programme, attendance, and progress.
• Monitor the young person on practical skills, people skills, and equipment used.
• A small amount of administration.

What's in it for you and your employees?

• Personal development in mentoring skills.
• Developing, encouraging, and supporting a young person in practical skills.
• Encouraging a young person to contribute positively to their community.

Westlea Housing's commitment to you

• A robust but informal interview process with the candidate.
• A project co-ordinator to resolve concerns or problems that may arise.
• Training programme for the mentors (if required).
• Evaluation and monitoring of the project.

Working with partners

This is an exciting flagship project for Westlea and our partners in the Wiltshire area. Partners so far have included Waste Not Want Not; Ultra Warm; Connaught Partnerships; Prior & Co; Westlea Housing's Grounds Maintenance Team, Responsive Maintenance Team, IT Section, and Housing Services Team.

We are proud that 5 out of 7 young people involved in the pilot 'Whatever!' scheme have gone to an apprenticeship, full-time employment, or into further education. This project forms part of Westlea’s commitment to local communities, which is changing attitudes, changing perceptions, and changing lives!

If you would like to be part of this project or have any questions please contact Lisa Wroe at Westlea Housing on 01249 466159 or email lisa.wroe@westlea.co.uk.

You can download a copy of the brochure here.