Young workers scheme
This page is about how we give young people a foot on the employment ladder.
In Reigate and Banstead, youth unemployment has increased more than twofold in the past two years. We 
are investing in helping local young people to succeed and we are making an impact on youth employment.
The Council set up the Young Workers Scheme to replace the Future Jobs Fund - a central government employment initiative, which ended in March 2011.
Our recession-busting scheme creates an opportunity for local 18-24 year olds who have been out of work for six months, by equipping them with the skills, confidence and experience needed for the jobs market.
The scheme is a paid six month position to work in a variety of Council departments including Human Resources, Housing, Environmental Health, Grounds Maintenance, Cemeteries, Refuse & Recycling,
Streetscene, Parking, Building & Development, Customer Services, IT, Legal, Policy & Regeneration and Property Services at the Harlequin Theatre & Cinema.
Successes
So far, we have recruited nearly 50 young workers and the scheme will now continue as a rolling opportunity. Recent scheme successes include young people:
- starting a two year apprenticeship with the Council
- successfully applying for permanent and fixed-terms jobs with the Council
- being offered a job opportunity with a local business through help from the Council
- returning to university.
Gatwick Diamond Business Award 2012
We are thrilled that our Young Workers Scheme won this year's Gatwick Diamond Business Award in the Corporate Responsibility category. Please see our latest news release to find out more.
Young worker's experiences
Read some of our young worker's experiences:
Adding value to our organisation
As well as the benefits of employment and development for the recruits, they have added value to our organisation. For example, the young workers who were placed in our parks and countryside team helped us to win a national award through their hard work and dedication.
Engaging our workforce
We have promoted the benefits of having young workers in the Council to encourage our managers and teams to buy into the scheme. We want to encourage our workforce to take responsibility for the borough’s economic and social regeneration by having a young worker join their department.
Engaging our community
We have also encouraged other large employers and local businesses to join us with similar schemes and offer opportunities to young people. Our HR team are continuously networking with local employers to seek further opportunities and mentors for our young workers.
Local resident Chris Bates, from BBC’s The Apprentice, was the face of the scheme when it launched last year and supported us by speaking at our event and to the young workers on their first day at work.
Opportunities for businesses
We are encouraging other local employers to join us with similar schemes and offer opportunities to young people.
We would like to support other businesses to participate so that the benefits to the borough are even higher.
The scheme offers benefits to the employer, with enthusiastic young people who will come with energy, are keen to learn and often have a potential to impress once they are given the opportunity to work. It is also relatively low in cost, as the placements do not include the benefits and costs of permanent recruitment.
The local economy benefits too, as at the end of the placements the young people are equipped with a better understanding of the workplace as well as new skills, confidence and experience to help them compete and be successful in the jobs market.
Contact
Our HR Team are happy to speak with anyone interested in setting up their own scheme.
Please email hr@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.
Last updated : 30/03/2012
