THE pay packet Kim received from her work placement with the Rainbow Project Life Chances scheme was extra special – it was the first she had ever had.

Kim, 22, is one of six young people who have been given a work placement through the Echo-backed scheme.

It helps disadvantaged young people in Southampton who are struggling to find work.

It puts them in one-year work placements where they are mentored and supported as well as given workrelated training, in order to help them find permanent work in the future.

Kim is now in a placement as an administrative support assistant at Osborne Developments in Southampton, as part of the team responsible for constructing more than 1,000 student bedrooms next to The Mayflower theatre. It is the first time she has ever been in paid employment.

Previously she was on the Wheatsheaf Trust’s work programme for a year, helping her to find work, and it was they who introduced her to the Life Chances scheme.

Steve Crook, construction manager, said that it is great to have Kim as part of the team.

“We needed to fill the position and we thought it would be better to do it for the benefit of not only us but also someone else as well,” he said.

“She has settled in very well to the work and the environment. We’re looking to develop what Kim is doing. We will try to push her as far as we can to suit her requirements so if there is an aspect of the work that she falls in love with she can go in that direction.

“Osborne Construction was encouraged to source this post via the Rainbow Project, through its Employment and Skills Plan (ESP) with Southampton City Council. These ESPs, required as part of the planning process for all major developments in the city, support a range of activities to ensure that local people can gain the skills they need to secure jobs in the region.”

Kim works 25 hours a week with the company and has additional workplace and skills training with the Rainbow Project, as well as meeting up regularly with Laura Coleman, who runs the project, and her volunteer mentor.

She says that she enjoys all of the work and is very proud of herself for getting a job.

Kay Sumner, who oversees Kim’s work on a day-to-day basis has noticed how much Kim has grown in confidence and skills already.

Kim is already planning what she is going to do with her wages: “It’s a good feeling, having not had that before,” she says.

“I am going to save up for driving lessons – that will help with getting work in the future too.”

  • The Rainbow Project needs to recruit more businesses to take part in their Life Chances scheme. Businesses pay the minimum wage for the young person to the scheme, which is actually the employer and takes on related responsibilities. It is also looking for sponsors who may not be able to take on a young person but would like to pay their wages to work elsewhere.
  • For more information, visit therainbowproject.co.uk or call 023 8022 3525

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