Thanet job centres have been rolling out a trio of initiatives aimed at supporting isle jobseekers and strengthening employer partnerships across Margate and Ramsgate.
Eight young people aged 18–24 have embarked on a two-week employability bootcamp designed to build confidence, develop workplace skills, and enhance their CVs. Supported by dedicated Work Coaches, participants are gaining hands-on experience through local work placements across a variety of sectors.
To ensure financial barriers don’t stand in the way, the Flexible Support Fund is covering travel and any workwear costs required, making the opportunity accessible to all.
“This bootcamp is a fantastic opportunity for young people to explore different career paths and gain real-world experience,” said Nick Gurr, DWP Recruitment Specialist for Margate and Ramsgate Jobcentres. “We’re incredibly grateful to the local employers who’ve stepped up to support this initiative and help shape the future workforce of Thanet.”
On Wednesday 15 October, Dreamland hosted one of the largest job fairs in the region, bringing together 40 employers and partner organisations to meet hundreds of job-ready candidates. The event was funded by Thanet District Council.
In a new partnership, Thanet jobcentres are working with the Crown Group to deliver a two-week training programme for residents, funded through the Low Value Provision Fund. The course prepares participants for full-time employment as multi-skilled track operatives.
Crown Group, a northern-based company, has secured a five-year contract with Network Rail to deliver infrastructure work in the Thanet area. This initiative is a major step forward in bringing long-term, skilled jobs to the local community.
For more details contact [email protected]
Data for September shows 32,530 people were claiming unemployment benefits in Kent, an increase of 3.1% (+975) since the previous month.
The unemployment rate in Kent is 3.3% (GB 4.0%).
Youth unemployment in Kent (18 to 24 year-olds) is 6.0%, higher than the national rate of 5.6%.
Thanet (10.6%) has the highest rate of youth unemployment in the South East.
So youth unemployment in Kent is 6%. Youth unemployment in Thanet is over 10%. But Thanet is only a short bus ride from the parts of Kent that aren’t Thanet!
And why would any company based in Ashford, Dover etc employ some wet behind the ears kid, who has to travel from Thanet, rather than somebody there who has experience?
Ok mate, lets look at it is this way…
Show me a young person who is iwlling to do four hours of travel each way to an 8 to 12 hour job, at less than min wage (apprenticeship rates)…
I’ll wait.
Sorry, I meant two hours travel each way, four in total.
Exactly-who is going to spend 10-12 hours a day plus all the time getting ready, getting to & from & waiting for the transport to arrive, to go work for a pittance?
Very good initiative, hopefully the candidates on the training course gain skills which benefit them in gaining employment.
Waste of time and money. Unless the district’s stubborn teens move outside the area, they are unlikely to see any opportunities other than in restaurants catering for glib wine swilling DFLs and “must own your own car” care work, which they won’t do.
I mean, where are the apprenticeships? Where are the opportunities to get into a trade and earn from day one, rather than a roadmap of useless qualifications at some garbage academy no one cares about?
Meanwhile, all our nationwide councils care about is further reducing the wellbeing of its citizens; closing libraries, parks, cutting down trees for housing etc
“Meanwhile, all our nationwide councils care about is further reducing the wellbeing of its citizens; closing libraries, parks, cutting down trees for housing etc”
That’d be fourteen years of right wing austerity for you.
“I mean, where are the apprenticeships?”
Plenty of them knocking about. You can see for yourself on the apprenticeships gov portal.
” Unless the district’s stubborn teens move outside the area, they are unlikely to see any opportunities other than in restaurants catering for glib wine swilling DFLs and “must own your own car” care work, which they won’t do.”
Oh, its all about enforcing classist stereotypes for you eh?
Unfortunately when applying for jobs the same response needs experiences. This is for basic duties which experience can be got in a day shift. Qualified trade yes. Pot wash ?? I have two grandchildren who actively seek work. It is demoralising. Oh by the way I once as a qualified teacher trainer of the adult sector.traibed a man for a year in maths. Later he applied for the same job. He got it. I asked for feedback reply needed experience.
“Eight young people aged 18–24 have embarked on a two-week employability bootcamp”
As someone who has done one of these two week employability courses, they’re absolute horsecrap. Its two weeks of practicing how to write a CV and doing really, really cringey team building exercises. Its a good earner for the course provider though. Ours, from EKC at the time based out of Argyll House across from Central Cars, told us they get £2k per person per completed “course”.
Yep, it was always a racket. They send people on them with different providers (most of them rubbish) over & over-doing the same stuff, just so a box can be ticked.
They of course cherry pick those they think stand the best chance of getting work, as they get more money for claiming they found them work, while ignoring the others-even if the person got the job entirely off their own back & they also then offer them clothing vouchers for a cheap suit at Burtons or whatever & then claim a ridiculous amount back from the government for doing so.