Innovation charity Nesta has invested £0.5m in online platform, GetMyFirstJob, which matches young people to apprenticeships.
The website advises young people on apprenticeships and guides them through the process, ensuring they choose an apprenticeship that suits their skill set and needs. More than 160,000 young people are currently registered on the system which also works with employers and training providers to help them find apprentices in a suitable time frame.
CEO of GetMyFirstJob, David Allison, said: “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? 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.”
Isabel Newman from Nesta Impact Investments added: “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.”