V for victory in job challenge
Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN
Date published: 26 March 2010
GRADUATES have been invited to apply for a place on a pioneering programme that helps university leavers find work.
Groundwork’s V Challenge, which starts in May, will recruit 15 graduates aged 21 to 25 to take part in a number of local projects.
The programme aims to break the cycle of “no experience equals no job” for graduates by giving them the chance to work in a number of areas, including regeneration, conservation, marketing, education and community cohesion.
There are opportunities to shadow departments within Groundwork so graduates can tailor their experience to suit their future career aspirations.
Current V Challenge team member Sophia Kadir, from Werneth, has just found employment with Groundwork as a skills tutor following her involvement in the Skills for Life project where she held adult numeracy and literacy sessions.
Sophia said: “The experience I gained on V Challenge without a doubt helped me get the job with Groundwork.
“The programme has been the most rewarding and useful thing I’ve done since leaving university.”
Participants do not need a specific degree or experience to apply, just enthusiasm and commitment to the three months of volunteering. Graduates are also given the chance to improve their CV and interview techniques in regular sessions with a careers adviser from Oldham College.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, March 31.
Visit the website at www.gwor.org.uk/volunteer for more information.
