IT’S not always easy deciding what to do with your life especially if you feel you’ve lost your way a bit.

Maybe school and qualifications weren’t for you? Perhaps you don’t know what you want to do and feel you’re not getting enough help to work it out? Or maybe it’s the opposite – you know what you want to do but don’t know how to bring it about?

At Our Way Leeds we have an Employment and Engagement Service which can help you with all that and more. Our aim is to get young people into high quality employment but don’t worry, it’s not all about form filling, trailing through websites and daunting interviews! We try to be creative.

After all, it might not be what you know, but who we know. We try our best to generate contacts and links with employers to secure job opportunities for young people so, even if you’re not used to competitive interviews, you’re in with a chance

What’s more, our help doesn’t stop when you start in a job. We are there to support you for as long as it takes for you to settle into that employment, providing practical help and other assistance to maintain your employment.

Daniel* is just one of the young people we have helped. Aged 18, he knew he wanted to work in construction having had some experience already, but he suffered from mental health problems and wasn’t ready to go down the formal apprenticeship route just yet.

A local charity had an opportunity for volunteers to take part in housing renovations which would give them some building experience and support around obtaining the Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) card needed to work in the construction industry.

Daniel’s enthusiasm carried him through both an initial meeting and interview to land one of the few places on this project and, after proving he has a great aptitude for the work and mature attitude to the workplace in general, he went on to secure paid temporary employment with the charity. 

OWL’s E&E Service worked closely with both the employer and Daniel, supporting him through the volunteer programme, providing a listening ear to when he was anxious, giving  guidance on workplace behaviours and continues to be there for him now that he’s in paid employment. His E&E worker is already working with our contacts in the construction trade for permanent employment once Daniel’s temporary role comes to an end.

Sarah Duffy who heads up OWL’s E&E Service said: “Young people have aspirations and goals and we are committed to providing the support they need to be able to realise them. Of course, not everything can be achieved overnight – particularly if you want to be a movie star or professional footballer – but at OWL we will provide person centred support to try and help you towards your dream role.”

Are you ready to try to make your dreams come true? Here’s how you go about it:

Click here to Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you!

(*Not real name.)