Young people finding work with support from hub

Two young people have described how a new youth employment hub has built their confidence and provided support as they looked for their first job.

One of them, Ethan Edwards, 22, has gone on to fulfill a career goal he has had since leaving college - to become a sports coach.

And Mhia Evans, 21, who is currently receiving support from the hub that has opened in Hereford said it has helped broaden her horizons.

The Herefordshire Youth Employment Hub is to support young people aged 16 to 24 looking for their first job and to bridge a gap in support after school or college.

The service will be helping young people who can "fall through the net", coordinator Amy Tommey said, because they could be unsure about where to go for help and support.

"We're hoping the hub can provide that and it seems to have done so far," she said, adding that the hub had already been inundated with referrals.

Mr Edwards carried out the official opening on Tuesday.

He is soon to start an apprenticeship with local sports coaching company Activate, and was one of the first to benefit from the service.

He said getting to that point had been a struggle.

"When I left college, I went straight into a job, [was] promised a certain amount of hours, and then they gradually dropped," he said.

He said he ended up "back at square one" after he decided to look for something else.

With support though, he found his ideal position, he said.

And Ms Evans said: "They've really helped me broaden my horizons as to what I want to do in the future and they've really helped me with my CV and to build my confidence."

Last year there were 245 young people aged 16 and 17 in Herefordshire who were not in education, employment or training or whose status was unknown.

The new hub is already helping more than 90 young people.

As part of the service, careers coaches will also travel around the rural county.

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