The work of the Trust – helping young people into jobs, education and training – has arguably never been as important as it is in today’s Covid-19 world, with youth unemployment set to reach record highs this Autumn. The number of young people in Northern Ireland claiming out-of-work benefits has more than doubled since March (from 5,895 to 14,330).
The Prince’s Trust has been working in Northern Ireland for 44 years and last year supported 9000 young people to build confidence and skills. The employability and enterprise courses offered by The Trust, which are run both in person and online, give young people the practical and financial support needed to stabilise their lives. Three in four young people on Prince’s Trust programmes move into work, education or training.
Prince’s Trust NI Director, Mark Dougan, says: ““I am incredibly proud that we have reached our millionth young person. However, we’ve hit this milestone at a time when the jobs market is in turmoil and the challenges facing young people are rapidly intensifying.
“It’s at this very moment in our organisation’s history that the support we can offer to young people is needed more than ever. We’re determined to do everything in our power to prevent a generation of young people in Northern Ireland from being left behind by the effects of this pandemic.”
Two in a million – Martin and Jake’s stories
Martin McKay received a business grant from The Trust in the nineties and went on to set up Texthelp, a global company that employs 180 staff across its offices in Belfast, Boston and Australia and has more than 30 million users worldwide. The organisation is the world leader in assistive technology, providing literacy and learning solutions that are used by people with learning difficulties, dyslexia and visual impairments.
Martin says: “I didn’t have a job at the time. In fact I have never had a job apart from this one; I had left university and knew I wanted to start my own business. My Dad had a stroke when I was young and that made me want to do something to help people with disabilities. I began by making software for people with Motor Neurone Disease and Cerebral Palsy which led onto making software for people with communication problems and dyslexia.
“It was my Mum who suggested I get in touch with The Prince’s Trust, she thought I was a bit mad wanting to set up my own business. I was a bit wild when I was younger, and I think she was worried about me keeping on the tracks. She suggested I apply for support with The Trust and helped me with the paperwork.
“I’ve no idea where I would be now without The Prince’s Trust, it really did get me started. Just knowing someone was willing to take a risk and support me boosted my confidence.”
Someone who has been supported more recently by The Trust is Jake Chase, 22 from Limavady. Jake was unemployed for eight months due to the coronavirus pandemic, last week he was offered a job in retail after completing a course with The Prince’s Trust and Lidl.
Jake says: “I was applying for roles, but businesses were shutting down, so I wasn’t even getting replies to my applications and for a few months there were next to no jobs advertised.
“The Job Centre told me about the Get into Retail programme The Prince’s Trust were running with Lidl. It was a four-week programme that involved work experience in the store and working online with the Prince’s Trust team on my employability skills. The staff were supportive and encouraging during the programme, they provided me with feedback that really helped.”
After completing the programme last week Jake was offered a job with Lidl working in their Limavady store.
“I was over the moon when I found out I got the job! It has brought a smile to my face; I just feel I am a lot more confident and outgoing when I’m in work and interacting with other people. The Prince’s Trust has made such a difference in my life, they have given me the most support I could ask for, it’s been great.”
22-year old Jake Chase from Limavady
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