VIVID creates new job placements with employability training for young people

Local housing association, VIVID, has created 18 job placements for unemployed 16–24-year-olds in Portsmouth and Basingstoke. These placements have been designed to help young people, who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, gain vital employment skills and opportunities enabling brighter futures.   

VIVID is part of the Kickstart Housing Partnership led by Clarion Housing Group. Organisations in the Partnership have secured funding from the Government to create new job placements for young people through the Kickstart programme. 

The 6-month Kickstart roles are entry level positions in areas such as Communications, IT, Finance, Tenancy Enforcement, and Repairs. They are open to young people aged between 16-24, who are currently unemployed, do not have any qualifications and are claiming Universal Credit. 

Starters will join supportive, experienced teams who will mentor them and encourage their learning on a day-to-day basis. They will also be given essential employability support by VIVID’s in house Employment and Training Team. Each Kickstarter will have a tailored action plan suitable to their own aims and ambitions, participate in webinars and online workshop and get involved in interview training and CV technique workshops. These skills alongside the work placement will provide young people with improved prospects and the confidence to flourish in their career.   

VIVID is hoping to secure successful candidates to start on 16 August and will announce further Kickstart placement roles later this year. 

Derek Streek, Head of Neighbourhoods at VIVID said, “The Kickstart Housing Partnership is a great initiative supporting the lives and futures of our young people. At VIVID we believe in “more homes, bright futures” and a big part of this is supporting our customers and local communities thrive through providing long-term support and investment. We’re delighted to be involved in this Partnership so we can use our expertise to help many local young people gain valuable skills and work experience and be the springboard to their future careers.  

“We encourage anyone who meets the Kickstart role criteria to apply for one of these positions or keep a look out for the next tranche of roles that will be announced later in the year.”