Wakefield / Leeds mumsnetters, help!

[Ouchiebum]

My lovely 18 year old son is currently on a year out. After a summer spent away on holiday he has been looking for a job since the beginning of September. It’s brutal out there and is beginning to feel impossible for a young person to get that first job.

After endless applications including for volunteering, he’s not getting any responses and really starting to feel despondent. Is there anyone in the area who has need of an enthusiastic, personable, good communicator and would be willing to offer him an opportunity. He’d be happy with any sort of paid work or volunteering, just needs a break! Pretty please with a cherry on top.

Does he have transportation, and does his enthusiasm span to Christmas? https://employmenthero.com/jobs/organisations/yorkshiregardencentre/

There's a lot of seasonal jobs available at the garden centres, which will at least give him some work experience, a good reference, and hopefully get him past that tricky first step into recruitment.

Has he had any advice on his applications or interview technique?

Has he tried employment agencies?

There's so many opportunities in loads of sectors in the area - retail, hospitality, construction, manufacturing, leisure, call centres etc surely he should be able to find something.

M&S have opened their Xmas temp jobs

I'm in another county now, so don't know how good the following is, but the equivalent of this site where I am now would be a good collection of things that are achievable (not just things that never go anywhere): Volunteering | Leeds.gov.uk

It is also worth thinking about theatre front of house staff, as for indoor theatre, the winter is obviously busier than the summer. Go straight to the websites rather than through Indeed or similar. There are temping agencies for universities, Joblink - Leeds University Union

Although not a student at the place with the agency (just local to it), it was possible to go on the books and keep up with those vacancies from that team. About 60 percent are specifically for students and things like ambassador roles or helpdesk things, but there are other posts that don't need internal status, and some that don't accept internal status where GDPR is paramount and it would be a conflict of interest. They're good posts.

Thank you, he doesn’t drive yet so they’d be too far to get to

He’s been to the job centre in Wakefield to ask for help, they took his email and said they’d send jobs. They have not. Hes emailed the job centre in Leeds to get cv and covering letter support, so waiting for that. Employment agencies aren’t interested. Has been face to face to two and emailed five. He has applied for every job across multiple sectors but when you have no experience employers go for the person who has had a job.

Thanks, he has applied already.

Thank you, he has applied for suitable things on the Leeds volunteering site, not had a single response yet.
the jobs link site is helpful, thank you, I have shared.

Try some of the other universities or HE places around the area too. They look as if they are only for students at that university, but I have had 2 where I've been able to register as a graduate from somewhere else, as well, and then been able to receive emails about vacancies. It might take a nice message or call to check that this is possible before approaching.

I saw quite a few things advertised about 6-8 weeks ago but most have closed for example the Playhouse & First Direct Arena were looking for casual staff so tell him to keep his eye out there.

Elland Road - a range of jobs.(hospitality, stewards).

https://www.leedsunited.com/en/club/careers

First Direct Arena

https://jobs.asmglobaleu.com/jobs/6305664-f-b-assistant

@Ouchiebum Also have a look at Leeds City Council and Wakefield Council job vacancies.

There is a real struggle to find:
School and office cleaners
Teaching assistants
Transport assistants
Before and after school club assistants (WRAC)
Mid day/lunch time supervisors

We have many new WRAC with full funding, that can't open, because staff cannot be found.
The latter three on the list are not popular due to ‘split shifts’ or few hours each day, but your DS may be ok with that.

Would your DS have the skills to work with children?
Could you develop these by volunteering in a school?

Thank you will try that

Thank you!

I have a family member who works at https://www.thesanctuaryproject.co.uk/ in Wakefield. They’re always desperate for more support staff and happy to provide full training if no experience.

Thank you for eland road and arena. Will have a look at the council jobs too. Interesting that they’re struggling to recruit

Royal Mail have opened their seasonal workers jobs thingy.....might be worth a look?

Would he be too young at 18? Feels like they need responsible adults! There’s no volunteer info on their website, would he just email and ask?

Nothing in Leeds or Wakefield, thanks for the idea

A well regarded charity seeking volunteers for a range of roles. (cafe, mentoring, farm).

https://www.catchleeds.org

Thank you, he will contact

Also have a look at Voluntary Action Leeds website as well as there’s usually a lot on there across Leeds. Www.doinggoodleeds.org.uk

Great thank you.