New Youth Hub helps young people in the search for a job

Called the Hartlepool Youth Hub, it was formally launched in the Borough Hall in front of an invited audience of civic leaders and key organisations.  

Among those taking part were the Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council Councillor Shane Moore and Hartlepool Borough Council Managing Director Denise McGuckin.

The launch event in the Borough Hall

The Hub has been created through a partnership between Hartlepool Borough Council, Jobcentre Plus, National Careers Service and a range of other partners. This includes Tees Valley Youth Employment Initiative, Youth Support Service, colleges and specialist training providers.

Based at Hartlepool Enterprise Centre, the Hub provides comprehensive support for young people aged 16-29 who are not in work, education or training including:

• Careers education, information and advice with a named careers adviser providing both one-to-one and group support.
• Specialist workshops including a two-week intensive support programme so that individuals are ready to enter the jobs market.
• Programmes to help young people develop skills and gain work experience linked to employers within growth employment sectors who will offer guaranteed interviews.
• Training programmes, including online learning, linked to employment opportunities.
• Access to alternative provision to help young people prepare for the world of work, including voluntary work placements via Volunteer Hartlepool and traineeships.
• Support to help young people improve their health and wellbeing.

The Hub only began earlier this year and has already received over 200 referrals, with 127 young people already being signed up to a programme of specialist support and 34 young people progressing into work.

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “We’re proud of the fact that this is one of the first Youth Hubs in the Tees Valley, and the partnership of organisations behind it is second-to-none.

“Our combined expertise and proven track-record of helping people improve their skills and knowledge and find employment means that young people searching for a job have a fantastic team behind them, helping, supporting and encouraging them every step of the way.” 

Charlotte Metcalf, Work Coach Team Leader at Jobcentre Plus, added: “We are proud to work together with the Council and partners through the Youth Hub to enhance the lives of the young people in our community.”

Bradley Davies is one of the first young people to be helped by the Hub – he has been supported by Groundwork North East & Cumbria which is a key partner organisation.

He said: “Since getting help from the team through the Hartlepool Youth Hub my motivation and confidence has significantly improved and I’m now ready to progress into work.”

For more information, download the Hartlepool Youth Hub Handbook at www.hartlepoollearningandskills.com/youth-hub or call 01429 401831.