Livin and Mears are celebrating providing over 50 work experience placements for school and college students. The aim of the placements was to give young people a positive employment experience and for them to gain a clear picture of what it is like to work for Mears. It is important for young people to consider their future careers and to gain an understanding of what they enjoy. The work placements gave them the opportunity to learn first-hand and consider their career options.
Livin Employability Co-ordinator Helen Johnson said: “The work placements have been a fantastic success and the young people have enjoyed themselves. Mears were able to provide a range of work experience opportunities and have helped the students to understand what will be required of them in a work environment. I’m sure this will enable them to plan for the future and decide on suitable careers.”
Work placements have also been provided for students from the Percy Hedley College. The college helps disabled people to secure work experience with the aim of increasing their confidence and enhancing their workplace skills.
Jill Morrison, who recently completed a work placement at the Sedgefield branch said: “The experience was wonderful and my confidence has definitely improved. Being given the opportunity to work in a professional environment was important to me and I learnt new skills which will help me in the future.”
In addition to providing work experience Mears also runs an empty homes programme aimed at supporting long term unemployed people in Sedgefield. Helen recruits for this programme and works with the local job centre to identify people who would benefit from the course. The programme runs for 12 weeks and after induction and basic training the students spend three days a week with Mears and one day in college. Students work on site with the Mears team to bring empty properties up to standard and ready for tenants to move in, they learn new skills and gain experience which can help them in finding employment.
Alan Small, Mears Group Partnership Manager said: “This is a fantastic achievement and I’m delighted that we have provided so many people with valuable work experience.
It demonstrates the commitment of the Livin and Mears team not only to delivering an excellent service but to the wider community as a whole.”
