Bury College’s ‘Golden Hello’ helps young people into jobs

Date published: 17 September 2011

Bury College Business Solutions has secured ESF funding to support a fantastic new scheme to help young, unemployed people to gain an Apprenticeship job opportunity with a local employer.

As part of the scheme, Bury College will help unemployed people, aged 18-24, who may otherwise struggle to find a job, given the current climate, into work and support them through a full Apprenticeship training programme.

With a shortage of job opportunities in the area, and employers struggling to afford to take on additional staff, the project will enable forty-five, eligible companies to receive a ‘Golden Hello’ incentive to take on a new Apprentice. The funding will provide a significant contribution towards the first 6 months of the Apprentice’s salary.

Carrie McKenzie, Executive Director Development at Bury College said: “This is a great opportunity for local companies to support young, unemployed people into work.

Employing an Apprentice is proving to be extremely valuable as companies gain committed and enthusiastic young people, who can bring new ideas to their business.

The Golden Hello, not only means we will help to recruit the right person, we will train them to gain the essential skills, knowledge and experience they need to fulfil their role, and the ESF project will support some of the salary costs.”

The Apprenticeship Golden Hello incentive is only available to forty-five eligible, small to medium sized businesses, who can demonstrate that they meet the full eligibility criteria. 

Young people, who wish to benefit from the project, must be aged 18-24, unemployed and claiming job seekers allowance (JSA) or employment and support allowance (ESA). Once accepted onto the scheme, candidates must undertake a short employability training programme before being assessed as suitable to progress onto a full Bury College Apprenticeship.