Rotherham Trainee Initiative

This was a pilot project that started in August 2004 and had the objective of providing a unique service to young people who were in the care of the local authority, were leaving education and would prospectively become unemployed.

The project attracted funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund as well as match funding from within Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Bridges (leaving care team) and the Police ABC fund.

Trainees on the scheme were subjected to a programme of intensive training over one year which includes, residential courses, a work placement, specialist as well as vocational training and very close monitoring and support. This support was provided by the Teenagers to Work team working with Mentors appointed by the work placement management. Each trainee was provided with a personally tailored training package.

During that time, the trainees had the opportunity to develop a community fund raising project, and generally became more employable and socially integrated into society.

To help with all this, the trainees earned very reasonable training allowances comparable with the national minimum wage. we developed a system of performance related payment to provide additional encouragement to these young people to succeed at work.

This scheme was quite successful and provided a learning experience for all participants. The lessons learned are being put to good use in the operation of the Teenagers to Work ongoing Project.