A successful partnership between ecommerce and web giant Amazon and children’s charity Barnardo’s to get care leavers and other young people into work is to be expanded following its trial in the North East.
The Journey of Becoming Successful (JOBS) project works with young people, many of whom have experience of the care system, to develop the skills needed to secure work and develop their careers. The programme has seen 83 per cent of participants finish the course and secure full-time work or a return to education.
Amazon funds 10 weeks of pre-employment training for candidates on the scheme with the aim of a permanent job at the company or another employer at the end of the course. The programme focuses on building up the confidence, mental and physical health, and skills of young people to enable them to achieve their full potential.
JOBS was trialled at four Amazon locations, including the company’s fulfilment centre in Gateshead. More of the company’s centres will now be added with the aim of helping 500 young people by 2025.
Barnardo’s CEO Lynn Perry said: “The cost-of-living crisis means that many more children and young people are growing up in poverty and missing out on opportunities, which affects their future prospects. We are delighted that through our partnership with Amazon, we can now help more young people across the UK to build routes into employment and education within their local community thanks to the expansion of our JOBS Project.”
Amazon UK country manager John Boumphrey added: “I am exceptionally proud of our partnership with Barnardo’s. We believe in the potential of all young people, and know that Amazon is a place their careers can start, grow and thrive.”
The project has so far supported 65 young people in the North East.
