Talent RISE is passionate about changing the lives of young people who have experienced barriers to employment. To do this, we provide education, training, life skills and employment opportunities, helping young people RISE UP to their full potential to gain independence and purpose. 

One of the young people we’ve recently supported into work is Nada Bekhit. With our support Nada secured a job with Talent International via the Government’s Kickstart Scheme. Kickstart is a UK Government scheme that funds 6-month work placements for young people aged 16-24. The scheme has now closed to new application but organisations taking part receive full funding to cover 100% of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus employer National Insurance Contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.

Nada is 20 and before joining the Manchester team at Talent as a Trainee Delivery Consultant, she had been working in a variety of part-time jobs and Nada wanted to find a more secure and substantial role! She found herself applying to roles for a month, trying to combat the market’s ever-competitive nature. We chatted to Nada to discover how Talent RISE helped her secure this role, and how it has impacted Nada as she is finding her feet in her new role. 

Q- So Nada, tell us a little bit about your background

Nada – I am 20 years old, I was in University for a year and it wasn’t really my thing. I wanted to see what else was out there so I had loads of part-time jobs here and there. I wanted something more substantial and that lead me to this role!

Q- Growing up, what did you see yourself being?

N- When I was younger, my parents wanted me to be a doctor so I sort of wanted that for a while so I went to college to try and do that. I didn’t end up getting lucky with going to go down that path, but sometimes you don’t know where life will take you. 

Q- How long were you looking for work before joining Talent?

N- About a month, when I was really looking for something stable – I was between other jobs just before that. 

Q- How did you find out about the Kickstart Scheme?

N- I had applied for Universal Credit and when I went to the Job Centre they were like ‘there is an interview going on why don’t you do it?’. I hadn’t prepared but then I spoke to the RISE team and got told about the role. I was really interested but took it from there.

Q- How many jobs did you apply for?

N- Loads. I would apply to about 10 a day, it was crazy. 

Q- How was it going through Talent RISE?

N- The team was really nice, I have never had anyone make me that much of a priority in a job application process before. I got calls making sure I was handling preparation for the interview and then asking how it went afterwards and it was a bit like ‘Wow, people care!’. So, it was a genuine shock if I’m honest.

Q- How did you feel going into your interview?

N- I was really calm about it. I just thought it was a good opportunity and if I got it that’s great but if not it would have been great practice. So I kept my cool. 

Q- How did you feel when you got the job?

N- I was SO happy! I was just glad they liked me!

Q- How have you found your role so far?

N- I just think it’s something I’ve never thought about before. I never knew about recruitment companies before – the CV element has satisfied my nosey side! I was like ‘oh wow they did that’ and seeing where they went to school and stuff.

Q- Where do you see your future at Talent?

N- If I got the opportunity to stay in Talent, I would as it’s really building my character and skill set. If not, then I just want to be able to build a stable and secure future for myself. I just want to do good by myself and I’m willing to work hard for that!

Q- What would you say to employers resistant to hiring younger people?

N- I just think if you don’t hire younger people how are you going to get experienced people? You might have experienced people that are older, but someone younger could do better with less time – so I think it should be far more encouraged. 

Q- What would you say to people currently looking for opportunities?

N- Look harder! Finding something like this, through a scheme or whatever is way more comfortable than working 12-hour shifts every day! I’ve done that and it’s not fun. 

To find out more about Talent RISE and an employer’s perspective of taking on a new starter, click this link to go to Jodie Paxton’s interview. Jodie is a Delivery Manager at Talent and is working closely with Nada, guiding her through the first steps in her new role. 
For more information on Talent RISE visit www.talentrise.org