2020 ESF case study: YouthActionNI - GET SET for Work 9
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.
Support as a young mother
This participant chose GET SET because it gave her the flexibility and the support that she needed as a young mother. As a young mum, at home with a young baby, she had become quite isolated, her confidence was low and being on her own was beginning to affect her mental health.
The participant really wanted to get into employment, she wanted to be financially independent and to be able to care for her daughter. She struggled, however, to find work because she had no experience. She also worried about the cost of childcare.
Work experience placement
On GET SET the participant was able to meet other young people and other young mums. Being able to connect with them really helped her feel less lonely. To build her confidence and experience, her GET SET worker set up a work experience placement for her with a GET SET partner employer.
The four week placement gave the participant a chance to test out different roles and to learn new skills for work. She got on so well that at the end of her placement she was offered a part time job. The part time employment really suited her. She was able to work, be more financially independent and still have time to look after her baby daughter.
She said:
“GET SET gave me my confidence and my independence back. I love working, it makes me feel good about myself. I now feel more positive about my own future and about my daughter’s future.”