Ilkeston Library hosts post-results Support event for young people

On Thursday 28th August, Ilkeston Library, along with several other locations across the county, hosted a post-results support session for young people, giving them the chance to explore employability and training opportunities.

Derbyshire County Council has partnered with the Department for Work and Pensions to launch YES, Youth Employment Support. The initiative provides young people with access to a range of support services to help them move into employment or training.

Sarah Ball, a member of the Youth Employment Support Team at Derbyshire County Council, highlighted the support available, “We're supporting 16 to 18-year-olds who perhaps haven’t achieved what they were hoping for in their GCSEs, BTECs, or A-level results. We're also supporting some older learners who haven’t got those qualifications.”

She added, “Young people claiming Universal Credit between the ages of 18 and 24 can also come to work with the team in the youth employment hub. They have longer appointments, where we talk to them about upgrading their skills and qualifications.”

Several organisations took part in the event, from colleges to training centres.

One of them was Home Instead, which offers employment opportunities in the health and social care sector. Emily May, group recruitment lead, explained their role, “We are here to help people who have just passed their GCSEs and A-levels to find new work. We specialise in domiciliary care, which involves going into people's homes. We do anything from companionship to helping with complex needs.”

She added: "I think it's important to inspire young people to get back into work and try new things. Events like this help them to understand what’s available and what they can do in the community.”

Luke Fleming, a learner from MPCT, Military Preparation Collage for Training, Derby, who was supported by the initiative, attended the event to encourage others:

He said: “Because I was 16 when I left school, I thought, right, I'll just get a job after school. But it didn’t work. I sat around for a couple of months, then I saw a military college advert. I went to an induction day, they showed me around, everyone was really friendly, so I enrolled – and now we’re here.”

If you missed the event, you can email youth.hub @ derbyshire.gov.uk, where the team will guide you through booking an appointment at one of their youth hubs across the county. You can also visit their website for more information.

Listen Again

Ilkeston Library hosts post-results support event for young people

Getting exam results can feel overwhelming, but in Derbyshire, support is at hand. Ilkeston Library is one of several venues offering guidance for young people through the Youth Employment Support scheme. Our reporter Mariam Besar went along to find out more.