The Wise Group has partnered with SGN, one of the UK’s largest gas distribution networks, to provide targeted energy support to vulnerable communities in Falkirk. With nearly a third of households in fuel poverty and 16% of residents living in some of Scotland’s most deprived areas, this initiative addresses energy affordability, efficiency, and safety.
Talent Match young person, Alex, is enjoying a work placement at G Watson Tool Hire after working with his Job Coach, Stirling Hood.
Alex started working with Talent Match in May, 2017, where he said his biggest barriers to employment were his lack of confidence, qualifications and lack of previous work experience.
Working with Stirling from TEN North East, our delivery partner in South Tyneside, Alex produced a CV and shared the type of work he’d be interested in. He was interested in warehouse training and a possible placement to gain work experience.
Alex used the Talent Match enable fund to purchase clothes that could be worn for interviews and attended recruitment events, training opportunities and interviews.
He successfully landed a work placement at G Watson Tool Hire, close to where he lives in South Tyneside. After completing the work placement Alex was given an apprenticeship within the business, which he started in June 2019.
When asked what he liked about the programme, Alex said “Talent Match gets you a job.”
Stirling championed the importance of working with young people furthest from the job market over the long term to ensure they are able to find sustainable work. “We have the luxury of working with people for a long time and building up trust,” he said.
Alex is one of over 200 young people currently on the Talent Match programme. To find out more, click here.
