A Wrexham charity is launching a campaign to help young people in Flintshire find work and overcome barriers to education.
Flintshire: A Wrexham charity is stepping up to help young folks in Flintshire. WeMindTheGap is kicking off a campaign aimed at supporting those aged 18 to 21 as they navigate the job market.
They’re calling it the Big Conversation, and it’s all about chatting with young people to understand the hurdles they face in chasing their career dreams. The campaign runs from January 9 to 14, and it follows a successful effort in Wrexham two years back.
Ali Wheeler, the CEO, shared that they want to connect with young people whose lives were turned upside down by Covid. Many of them are feeling lonely and have lost interest in education, which is a real concern.
She pointed out that young people today are struggling with social skills and finding it tough to secure jobs. Employers are also having a hard time finding young talent, which creates a bit of a mess for everyone involved.
Ali noted that the young people they’re targeting now were just teens during the pandemic, missing out on crucial experiences that usually help them transition into the workforce.
She’s worried about the future if things don’t change. With more people set to retire soon, there’s a real risk of not having enough skilled young workers to fill those gaps.
Ali is urging parents and the community to help find these young people and encourage them to join the conversation. It’s all about making sure their voices are heard.
Laura Columbine, who’s working with WeMindTheGap in Flintshire, echoed these sentiments. She highlighted how the pandemic has affected young people’s independence and job readiness.
She believes this conversation is crucial to understand what young people really want and need in today’s job market. The world has changed, and so have the expectations for young workers.
With support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Flintshire County Council, this initiative aims to make a real difference. Wrexham University is also on board to help with community engagement.
If you want to know more about the Big Conversation, you can reach out to Laura at laura@wemindthegap.org.uk.
And hey, if you’ve got a story or something to share, don’t hesitate to email News@Wrexham.com!
