Opening doors for young people
Last summer, the Council signed up to the Government’s Kickstart scheme — a programme designed to help young people aged 16–24 get their foot on the career ladder. Primarily a response to the pandemic, which saw thousands of young people struggling to find work; the scheme aimed to provide supported placements, allowing participants to gain much-needed work experience, whilst earning a salary and receiving structured training.
At the Council, we have recruited 45 young people as part of Kickstart, across a range of services in all directorates. We’ve seen a number of these go into further employment with us, and hope to see this number continue to grow! This opportunity has proven invaluable to many on the scheme. To find out exactly what the experience meant to them, we reached out to some employees from our most recent cohort. Here’s what they had to say:
Sadie Webb — Business Administration Assistant
“My name is Sadie and I’ve been on the Kickstart Scheme since mid-February 2022, working in the LCS Training and Support team as a Business Administration Assistant.
My main reason for joining the Kickstart Scheme was to support my return to work after a long-term health condition. I found that the Council’s values completely married up with my own, and this particular role interested me, so I applied! I worked in a team that offered training to Social Workers. As someone whose only knowledge of Social Care came from Tracy Beaker, this was a perfect opportunity to learn the reality of what goes on behind the scenes!
Buckinghamshire Council has helped me restart my career without overwhelming me. My people skills have significantly improved — since the pandemic, I found it difficult to interact with large groups of people. Through team get-togethers and ‘meet and greet’ sessions, I have become a lot more confident and comfortable. I have also improved my time management and task organisation, something I know I will value whatever route I go down.
I love the relaxed atmosphere of the Council and how open they are to change. I am extremely grateful to be on this scheme — from where I was a couple of months ago, the confidence I have in my ability to work has been completely turned around. I am feeling more prepared for my next steps. I plan to return to University, and with everything I am learning with the Council, I will be in a much better position to chase my future.”
Zana Hall — Community Board Buddy
“I’m Zana, and I’ve been with the Council since mid-February in the Community Boards team.
I chose to join the Council on the Kickstart programme because I wanted to try something different and learn new skills. I wanted to get experience working in a larger team, as I enjoy meeting new people and working collaboratively.
Being on the Kickstart programme means a lot to me. It will help me move forward in my career and help me to feel more confident in my abilities. The people around me have supported me in every way, providing help when I needed it, which I appreciate.
After my placement, I hope to find a full-time job with the Council as I’ve enjoyed my time here. Alternatively, I’d like to pursue a career in childcare, which is something that I’m also passionate about and have experience in.”
To find out more about employment opportunities with Buckinghamshire Council, including early careers, visit: jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk
