Five local young unemployed people have secured jobs working with us as part of Kent County Council’s Kent Employment Programme. The three apprentices and two graduates, who are aged between 19 and 24 years of age, will be working with us for one year and include:

  • James Dartnall - Our Digital Communications Graduate
  • Bethany Eddolls – Our Housing Project Planning and Administrative Assistant Graduate
  • Steven Matthews – Our Apprentice in Asset Management
  • Evelyn Scott & Samuel Grayson– Our Housing Management Apprentices

The scheme aims to equip the new graduates and apprentices with a range of experience from across all areas of the organisation, while paying a wage.

James Dartnall, Digital Communications Graduate, said: “Getting a job in general is very difficult at the moment so I was really pleased to be offered this opportunity after being unemployed for more than six months. Even if you graduate from university, like I did, it’s still really hard to find a job and I think that more employers need to get involved in apprentice and graduate schemes like East Kent Housing have, so they can help more young people get into jobs and start off their careers. ”

Brendan Ryan, Chief Executive of East Kent Housing, said: “We are delighted to be a part of the Kent Employment Programme, which has given us the financial support to be able to offer six young people a route into work. We know how valuable an asset a young person can be to any organisation and I’m really looking forward to seeing how their fresh approach may help us look differently into the services we provide. I’m certain that the experience our new graduates and apprentices gain at East Kent Housing will help them in their long term careers.”

Chris Homewood, Apprenticeship Development Officer on the Kent Employment Programme met with Head of Corporate Services, David Willis last year to explain the process: “I could tell straight away that East Kent Housing was committed to helping young people in the area. The apprentice roles are interesting and provide ample opportunities for progression. The apprentices are currently being signed up to their programmes and I wish everyone at East Kent Housing the very best for the future.”

About the Kent Employment Programme

This programme has been set up as a flexible grant fund to encourage local businesses to take on young unemployed people as apprentices allowing employers to meet their skills needs. £2000 is awarded to an employer that recruits through the programme.

KCC works in partnership with various agencies to offer these opportunities to the unemployed young people of Kent. There is also a grant of up to £2275 if an employer takes on an 18-24 year old who has been claiming out of work benefits for six months or more.

Launched in April 2012, the Kent Employment Programme has now recruited over 600 apprentices and aims to recruit another 300 by September 2014. The colleges and private training providers in the County offer a wide range of apprenticeship frameworks to meet the requirements of employers and young people.

The KEP application form will have been completed by 18-24 year olds claiming job seekers allowance and submitted along with a covering letter and CV. There is also a NEET application form for 16-18 year olds who are not in education employment or training.

For more information on what KCC can offer businesses in Kent, please visit: www.kent.gov.uk/apprentice

Interesting in being a future apprentice or graduate?

You can register your interest in future schemes by emailing: [email protected]

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