2020 ESF case study: YouthActionNI - GET SET for Work 8

YouthAction NI’s GET SET for Work programme is a regional youth employability programme for young people aged 16 to 24 years who are outside of training, employment and education. Operating across all of YouthAction NI’s regional bases GET SET works in partnership with business, communities and young people to develop their skills for living, learning and work so that they can progress into employment or into further education and training.

GET SET is part financed through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy.

Bullied at school

This participant is a young man who joined GET SET after dropping out of school where he had been severely bullied. He described his life as unstable, feeling lost and in a dark place. He joined GET SET after meeting our youth worker who was doing outreach work in the local area. The participant knew that he needed a focus and support to get back on track with his life and his education.

Building confidence

On GET SET he first took part in a personal development programme to help build up his confidence. He was also encouraged to get involved in volunteering in his local community. This gave him a focus and a sense of purpose, as well as build his skills in team work, leadership and communication.

He said:

“GET SET built my confidence, my independence and my character, helping to make me who I am today.”

He was also able to complete a Level 1 qualification in Youth Work. On completion of this he was able to progress to a Level 2 course in Youth Work which helped him gain employment. 

He said:

“GET SET gave me a sense of direction and to really go for something I wanted to do. The guidance and support from my GET SET youth worker enabled me to fast-track towards a career in youth work and without my youth worker’s knowledge I am not sure if I would have understood where to start!”

Further study

As well as getting a job in youth work, the participant is now also studying for a university accredited Level 4 qualification in youth work and plans to go on to study for a degree at university.

Asked what he would tell a young person about the GET SET for Work project, the participant said, 

“Just go for it, the youth work approach will make a difference to your learning and development, it is a great alternative to formal education and you will be supported by people who care.”

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