Bath-based water and sewerage company Wessex Water has welcomed its first cohort of Kickstarters to the company in a variety of placement positions.
The Government’s Kickstart scheme is targeted at young people at risk of long-term unemployment and aims to help them gain the experience and skills they need to launch their careers.
Wessex Water has committed to the scheme by creating 45 six-month work placements.
It has been three months since the company took on its first recruits and there are more positions to fill.
Jenna-Grace Appleyard, who is on a customer dispatcher placement, said: “I applied for a Kickstart placement because I thought it would be a really good experience for me and I knew that I would learn a lot of new skills that would be very useful.
“During my placement, I aim to develop my customer service skills and gain experience in working as part of a team in an office environment.
“I wasn’t really too sure what to expect but it’s been really positive so far and I’m already becoming more confident.”
Abbey Stevens is on a laboratory service assistant placement with the company.
She said: “I think the past year or so has been quite difficult for most people on the job front, with companies closing down or having to make cuts to their budgets has left a lot of people feeling quite uneasy.
“I only have previous experience in retail so I’m really happy to learn new skills. It’s interesting to see the work that goes on here at the laboratory.
“I hope to secure full-time permanent employment within the company with opportunities to develop and progress.”
You can find out more about the scheme via www.wessexwater.co.uk/kickstart.
