Youth Unemployment | ThinkForward

Youth-led peer research project with The Blagrave Trust

ThinkForward post-16 young people in Kent designed a research project on the various barriers young people face in securing positive employment opportunities.

Young people were trained and supported to collect data through surveys, focus groups and interviews and presented their findings to The Blagrave Trust, ThinkForward and employers in Kent, to provide insight into the barriers to employment young people in Kent can face.

We are extremely grateful to The Blagrave Trust for funding this opportunity for our young people.

The young people created a presentation to share their research findings:

ThinkForward submits evidence to the Department for Works & Pensions

ThinkForward Ambassador, Kiianu Glasgow submitted evidence to a round table of MPs from the DWP select committee on employment opportunities for young people. Kiianu answered all the MPs questions clearly and concisely, giving a fuller picture of what it is like to be a young person looking for work.

Also in attendance in the public gallery was ThinkForward apprentice Amy Coulson. Amy wrote up her visit to the House of Commons below:

Hearing Kiianu speak made me feel so happy to be part of an amazing charity who want to help young people like us. Having her represent our work was a fantastic idea, she was great!

It was my first experience going to parliament and hearing someone speak about ThinkForward. As we entered the building it was like being at the airport with people’s bags being checked and searched. I felt so nervous but I couldn’t explain why. It was just a situation you do not expect. The building inside is so unique with the designs and especially all the paintings.

All the MPs who asked questions seemed very intrigued by what ThinkForward does and I hope next time they make a decision that affects young people, they think about what Kiianu said, “young people don’t just want a job, they want a career.”

Overall the experience was incredible and I would love to attend another in the future.

ThinkForward Launches in Nottingham North

After five years developing the programme in north-east London, we are pleased to announce that we are launching ThinkForward in Nottingham. With support from the Careers and Enterprise Company and in partnership with local charity Rebalancing the Outer Estates Foundation, we will be supporting 200 of the most disengaged young people across four schools to make a successful transition from school to work.

ThinkForward’s Coaches will provide long-term personalised support, helping young people to overcome challenges in and out of school and to build employability skills and confidence. We will be engaging local employers, such as Nottingham City Homes and Boots, to provide work readiness activities such as skills workshops, business mentoring and work experience placements, as well as access to apprenticeships and other jobs.

We rely on the generosity of our supporters to make the programme a success. If you have any business links in Nottingham please do get in touch.