Sanctuary Supported Living - Kick Start

Careers course to boost employment skills for young people

Young people in Kent are set to benefit from a careers programme designed to help them into employment.

The Kickstart course is being run by Sanctuary Supported Living in partnership with construction firm ENGIE across the east of the county.

It is aimed at 16 to 25-year olds in Canterbury, Swale and Thanet who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including children in care and care leavers.

Residents from Sanctuary Supported Living schemes in both Sittingbourne and Sheerness were introduced to the programme this month, which offers routes into employment, at a taster event with ENGIE staff.

They learned about different roles within the construction industry, routes into career paths such as apprenticeships, and were given the opportunity to sign up for work experience placements.

The group were also given a tour of the Cooks Lane site in Sittingbourne where Sanctuary Homes is building 243 new properties over the next three years.

Residents going on to complete the Kickstart course will then take part in three days of mentoring when they will be able to get guidance on CV writing and interview technique.

Fiona Lovelock, Sanctuary Supported Living’s Service Development Manager, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to find out more about potential careers and improve their employability skills, which are vital for them in their journey towards living independently.

“We hope this is just the start of a fruitful partnership with ENGIE that will see even more of our residents benefit.”

Lorraine McMullen, Community Investment Manager from ENGIE, commented: “The Kickstart programme has a proven track record of helping people into employment and we are looking forward to working with the young people from Sanctuary Supported Living.”