Could your business help our care leavers with employment opportunities?

We are looking for businesses that can support the care leavers we’re working with to boost their employment opportunities.

There are over 4,000 care leavers up to the age of 25 who are less likely to have access to the same employment opportunities than other young people in Greater Manchester.

We offerwork readiness programmes for care leavers who may need some extra help with finding work, but this is only possible when there are businesses who are willing to help.

Work experience, world of work visits and other placements are vital for young people to learn about what they’d like to start a career in and to figure out more about themselves. Could you help by offering some work experience or placements for care leavers?

A young person who took part in one of the work readiness programmes said: “GMYN’s support has been amazing, not just to help me get work but also to get employers to listen to us and make changes. More of this has to happen!”

The programmes we run give young people who may not have a strong support network to fall back on the resources and support they need to start in employment.

Ways is a new programme aimed at Salford care leavers aged 16-25 offering one to one support and group sessions to help care leavers into work. This video from care leavers shows how young people can get involved.

Hatch is another employment programme that young people who are ready to enter the workplace but need some help to do so can join. This involves 15-20 hours of employment workshops with GMYN and four weeks (13 hours per week) of paid work experience. 

Businesses in Manchester that have supported us through our work readiness programmes include Big Yellow Storage, Manchester Museum, Timpson’s and many more.

Supporting care leavers is one of Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s priority areas, which is why we are reaching out to businesses across the city to get more support.

Alex Fairweather, CEO of GMYN, says: “The impact of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis on young people has compounded their challenges, with the most disadvantaged at risk of becoming long-term unemployed.

“We make sure that work placements and world of work visits are offered to care leavers who seek our support so that they can access employment opportunities too.

“Help and support from businesses in Greater Manchester would mean we are able to fund more care leavers who need our guidance in becoming work ready.”

Could you make a pledge to support a young person’s journey through training and employment?

For more information about the work readiness programmes that need support from businesses, please contact phil.harris@gmyn.co.uk.