Council internal work placement programme shows early success in young person employment drive

Salford City Council is currently piloting their Step into Salford Pathways Programme, a new model offering paid, 12-month work placements to young people from priority groups, and those not in education, employment or training after leaving school.

Participants begin with a six-week pre-employment phase focused on building confidence, developing essential skills like English and maths, and preparing for the workplace. Participants then move into a 12-month paid placement within a council service, starting part-time and gradually increasing to full-time hours.

The programme is already proving successful, with some inspiring feedback from participants so far. Reece, one of the first participants, has now started his role as a Leisure Team Member with Salford Community Leisure at Irlam and Cadishead Leisure Centre, after completing six weeks of pre-employment support.

Reece said:

I have really enjoyed six weeks of getting to meet different people in and around the council who can offer help and advice from their job roles, that I can take note of and use in my job role at the leisure centre. I have also enjoyed meeting everyone on the programme alongside me. I have learnt lots of new skills and attributes which I can use now and in the future. I’m relieved to be going into a job role in a professional working environment, but also with welcoming colleagues and a manager.”

Mackenzie, another participant from the first cohort, shared:

Within my first month, I already noticed huge changes, such as my confidence. I have also noticed that I feel more comfortable within the workplace. I very soon realised that I really wanted to be here in this role, and I wanted to prove to (my manager) Terry and the team that I deserved to be there, and that I could do the work.”

The Pathways Programme gives young people the chance to build skills, gain confidence, and experience real work in a supportive environment. The council is now preparing for its third cohort and encouraging more teams to get involved.

Councillor Pepper, Lead Member for Skills, Work and Business Support, said:

I’m passionate about youth and young people, and making sure that we create the best opportunities that we can for every young person in Salford – whatever they want to be, whatever their path is – we will support them and make sure that they have the absolute best start in life.”

The council is now calling on managers across its services to consider hosting a placement. All roles are centrally funded and supported by dedicated Placement Co-ordinators.