Work Experience Programmes Are Driving Positive Change.
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For young people, getting a job is often a major priority when they leave school or college, but for many their ambition remains out of reach as employers remain reluctant to give them a chance.
But a car cleaning service is helping to give young people a chance to shine, giving them the experience and confidence they need to go out and get jobs in the community.
Community interest company, Genuine Futures, has been operating a friendly mobile professional car cleaning services across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, which gives local young people the opportunity to learn a range of work skills that they can then use with any future employer in a paid job.
Genuine Futures offers work experience programmes and support to help young people in communities to get the skills they need to get into the work force.
Important service
While the majority of young people want to work, they still find that chances to get a job are limited, and opportunities to gain practical experience – rather than college-based employability courses – are also relatively scarce, which is why providing a professional car cleaning service is so important, says Mike Alleyne, Director of Genuine Futures.
“Supported employment opportunities, provide young people with further opportunities to develop their skills and talents” says Mike. “It’s also offers a chance to meet new people, build self-esteem and be involved in the community.”
“We intend to support young people for at least a 12 month period, but it can be longer if need be, and they learn a lot of enterprise and employability skills” said Mike.
Mike adds that a long-term goal is to offer NVQs in customer service skills and other recognised qualifications or even help them to set up their own business.
Positive Change
While the Car Cleaning service has been operating since Jan 2024 it is already driving positive change for the young people involved, and from both the business and wider community.
Millie Lidgley Business Centre Manager at Business First said; “I love what you are doing with all of the young people, and how you are just helping them change their lives, with what you guys are doing, with all the transferable skills that they are learning, that they can take with them for the rest of their lives.”
The company is seeking to expand this initiative into other areas of the North West and are looking for support with donations, volunteers to help with fundraising and on-the-job support.
So if you are interested in getting involved then visit the following website: www.genuinefutures.co.uk or email hello@genuinefutures.co.uk