A ‘GROUNDBREAKING’ new job position is to be created at The Usual Place in Dumfries after they secured lottery funds.
They are set to get £95,953 over three years from the National Lottery Young Start Fund to create a new full-time role of employer-ability mentor.
That person will support employers across Dumfries and Galloway in welcoming disabled young people into their teams, bringing hope and a future to young people with learning disabilities and additional support needs.
The mentor will formalise much of the crucial work that The Usual Place has been doing for many years and bring expertise and resources to link forward-thinking employers and ambitious young people with additional support needs.
They will help identify relevant job opportunities and support both employers and candidates, as well as providing training and showing firms how to make reasonable adjustments.
There will also be follow up work to ensure long-term success.
The purpose is to increase the number of disabled young people moving on from the core project at The Usual Place where they receive training and externally verified qualifications in hospitality services, as well as life skills.
It is expected that it will directly benefit 45 young people over the three year period.
Heather Hall, chief executive of The Usual Place, said: “We are really excited to be able to now recruit for this vital role which complements and provides focus for work we are already doing.
“We are continuously coming across employers who are interested in creating really strong, diverse workforce and providing sustainable opportunities for young people, but they often don’t feel confident or fully informed on how to go about making this a reality.
“And there are so many young people who have the skills, drive, determination and desire to work but just need the right support in transitioning into their first job.
“Having a dedicated role, expertise and resources within the mix here at The Usual Place will enable us to reach out and connect so many more employers and young employees.”
