A LEADING educational organisation has launched a new programme to support unemployed and disengaged young people in Warwickshrie after securing £1.1 million of funding.
PET-Xi has launched its ‘Positive Futures’ programme to support 15 to 24-year-olds who are not currently in education, employment or training – or at risk of becoming so.
The barrier-breaking project will run over the next three years and will provide support, guidance, and training to help up to 780 young people take the next steps in their carrier path.
Young people will have the opportunity to gain qualifications, employability skills and motivational support to help them progress onto a traineeship, apprenticeship, further training or a job,
Set up in 1995, PET-Xi works with 18,000 young people each year and was awarded the £1.1 million contract to deliver the scheme by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Joint managing director Fleur Sexton said: “The programme has been designed around the specific needs of young people in the community and focuses on the skills needed to gain employment.
“Young people who have become disengaged and fallen off their educational path are often facing huge challenges in their lives, such as debt or addiction or single parenthood and therefore have huge barriers to overcome.
“Everyone has a place in their community and it’s just a matter of helping them to find it and feel proud to be part of it.
“We are really keen to get young people more involved with their local communities because we know how feeling proud of where you live and work has benefits for the area and the individual.
“We look forward to welcoming young people wishing to take part in the programme and supporting them to find a rewarding career path.
Positives Futures will offer tailored qualifications as well as support with CV and cover letter writing, perfecting interview skills and obtaining work placements or voluntary positions to gain experience.
Simon Fitzgerald, head of funding at PET-Xi, said: “We are confident we will have a big impact in Warwickshire.
“Were committed to delivering a motivational programme that provides value for money, progress and real quantifiable impact.
We work on a success rate of over 90 per cent which is incredibly high for this type of work, and this is a testament to our staff.”
Those interested in participating in the scheme should contact Lyn Watson at PET-Xi on 02476 420310.
