Nesta Impact Investments is backing an innovative new website that helps young people connect with employers and colleges to find the right apprenticeship. The investment comes as recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a worrying increase in youth unemployment - with the number of jobless 16 to 24-year-olds rising by 30,000 to 764,000.

Nesta’s £0.5 million investment in GetMyFirstJob will see more young people able to use a streamlined system that connects them with both employers and training providers who are looking for apprentices.

GetMyFirstJob’s Co-founder and CEO, David Allison says:

“One of the big issues when it comes to apprenticeships is timing. How do you get the right young person into an apprenticeship quickly so that it works for employers? Businesses can’t wait weeks and weeks to find the right person, that’s why it is vital that we have a placement system that’s quick and easy to use.

One of the very frustrating things for young people is that they have lots of people giving them advice but it rarely leads directly to a job. Careers advice should be directly linked to real jobs – this proactive approach is best for candidates and employers. As soon as young people register their details with GetMyFirstJob they can be contacted by proactive employers and training providers as well as looking for the best vacancies for themselves.”

The need for an improvement in recruiting young people was highlighted by recent figures from the Department of Business, which revealed that the number of people starting Government backed apprenticeships had fallen by almost 70,000 last year.

Thomas Morris is 16 years old and has recently started an art worker apprenticeship with a graphic design company.

“I chose an apprenticeship over A-Levels because they get you out there, in a job, gaining experience. I think employers are more interested in your experience, rather than the qualifications you have. GetMyFirstJob was really easy to use. Once I applied I was contacted by a provider and put forward for my current role. I am really enjoying it and would like to progress within the company to become a graphic designer.”

Isabel Newman from Nesta Impact Investments says:

“We know that one of the most challenging times in a young person’s life is when they leave school or college and look for their first job. Apprenticeships are an ideal way for many young people to make this transition but often the process is long-winded and difficult to navigate.

We believe that GetMyFirstJob offers a real break through and has the potential to help thousands of young people get the right apprenticeship.”

-ENDS-

For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Gemma Davidson at Nesta on 07986 396571 or 020 7438 2606 [email protected]

Notes to editors

Background:

GetMyFirstJob is an innovative web based platform that improves the speed and quality of matching young people to the right apprenticeship. It works with employers and training providers to help them find apprentices in a time frame that works for them. Their approach includes advising young people and guiding them through the apprenticeship process, ensuring the best match is made. Over 160,000 young people are currently registered on the system and are being helped to find information about apprenticeships as well as details of vacancies nationwide.

David Allison, CEO of GetMyFirstJob says:

“One of the big issues when it comes to apprenticeships is timing. How do you get the right young person into an apprenticeship quickly so that it works for employers? Businesses can’t wait weeks and weeks to find the right person, that’s why it is vital that we have a placement system that’s quick and easy to use.

One of the very frustrating things for young people is that they have lots of people giving them advice but it rarely leads directly to a job. Careers advice should be directly linked to real jobs – this proactive approach is best for candidates and employers. As soon as young people register their details with GetMyFirstJob they can be contacted by proactive employers and training providers as well as looking for the best vacancies for themselves.”

As the Government looks to increase the number of young people taking up apprenticeships, GetMyFirstJob is already working with employers and training providers to ensure they can find the right young person at the right time. Over the last year, they have managed 8,000 vacancies and hope to help place 10,000 young people into apprenticeships in 2015.

Andrew Rodney, Director of Business Development & Marketing at Calderdale College says:

“GetMyFirstJob has given us a leading edge in apprenticeship recruitment in our area. The system has given us a great advantage for filling apprenticeship vacancies for our employers. It has also proved to be a great selling tool when engaging with potential employers.  Being able to target specific learners, rather than waiting for applications, is seen as a major benefit by our customers. So far, it has enabled us to double the number of positions filled each month.”

The opportunity to increase the number of young people taking up an apprenticeship and making a successful transition into the workplace convinced Nesta to make an investment.

Isabel Newman from Nesta Impact Investments says:

“We know that one of the most challenging times in a young person’s life is when they leave school or college and look for their first job. Apprenticeships are an ideal way for many young people to make this transition but often the process is long-winded and difficult to navigate. We believe that GetMyFirstJob offers a real break through and has the potential to help thousands of young people get the right apprenticeship.”