News > Stoke’s Future Jobs Fund hits 500th start - and nets 19-year-old her dream job.
Posted on 17 August 2010
Ever since she was a child herself, Kirstie Prince, 19, of Alsager’s Bank, has always dreamed of looking after children. “We all have our dream job and everyone’s always told me I’m good with children. I used to look after my little cousins and the children of family friends.”
Small wonder then that childcare was Kirstie’s first choice at 16. Unfortunately, it was a lot of other people’s choice too and she didn’t get a place to study it. Two years later, Kirstie got on a childcare course only to have to give it up due to money pressures. She took a temporary job at a big chain store over Christmas and was promised it would become permanent. Yet despite working 13-hour shifts and most of Christmas, she was made redundant in January.
Heartbroken, Kirstie had no choice but to sign on. Now thanks to Future Jobs Fund, Kirstie started her dream job on Monday August 16. And it includes full training too.
“I went to the Jobcentre and got referred to the adviser for the 18 to 24s group. I saw the same adviser every time and she helped by referring me to JET (Jobs, Enterprise, Training) Business which supported my application for a couple of Future Job Funds starts. Then I got a job in childcare at the Hollybush Centre in Blurton. I went round in a big circle but finally got where I wanted to be.
“Everyone says there’s a big change in me since I got this job. I’m so happy, I can’t stop smiling.”
But a small step for Kirstie is a big one for North Staff’s Future Job Fund and JET because Kirstie is their 500th start this year. Paula Elliott, the manager responsible for the FJF Programme, said without JET, the Future Jobs Fund wouldn’t be as successful as it is in North Staffordshire.
“I am delighted with the progress of the Future Jobs Fund project and the 500th job start for North Staffordshire for Jet Business. It’s a fantastic milestone to have achieved in just six months.
“Here in Stoke, it's all down to Jet Business, their knowledge of the local labour market, employer engagement and their recruitment expertise. When I took over in February we had achieved 29 job starts and it had been an steep learning curve for the Department of Work and Pensions and Staffordshire partners involved.
“Without Jet Business I simply wouldn't have been able to have achieved so much. They are professional and supportive to both the individual coming onto the programme and the employer throughout the 26 weeks Future Jobs Fund period.
And at the end of the 26 weeks they continue to support the individual and offer further help and guidance. For some, this support has resulted in permanent jobs which is life changing for the individual. I count myself extremely lucky to have such a great team on my side."
Last updated 08/02/2012