Goodbye and good luck

After worrying in my last post about what will happen after i leave NSG it turns out I needn't have worried as I have found a job and start next week :). I finish at Novas Scarman today :o(

I have really enjoyed my time here and feel it has been a great stop gap for me in between finding a new job. I have learnt so many new and interesting skills that will help me in the future such as working with CRM systems, collecting and writing content for the company website/intranet and so much more.

I'm very grateful to the Future jobs fund and Novas Scarman for giving me this opportunity over the past 5 months.

Future Jobs Fund is a real worthwhile scheme if you put the hard work in. You can learn a lot and gain a lot of experience and confidence which was quite important to me after being out of work for so long it did have an effect on my confidence.

I hope my experience will help others and realise that if they work hard there is a work life after NSG and FJF.

I want to thank everyone at NSG for their time and effort especially Justin Morris who was my manager in the coms dept for his time and effort with me.

I wish the rest of the FJF guys all the luck for the future.

Katie Williams, 24

Half way point..

I have reached the near half way point in my employment contract and I have continued to fulfil my previous duties amongst new tasks which include: ensuring record keeping and fundraising database files are managed and maintained to give accuracy and a high quality source of information for use of the group, as well as researching new funding streams and fundraising activities. In this part of the work my main responsibilities are to maintain the work I have produced so that it is up-to-date, Also I have been doing research into sourced contacts i.e. obtaining contact details and assisting my manager to stream line her processes and workload to give added efficiency.

Jerome Prince, 24

May Already.....

So it’s May already can’t believe how fast this year is going. Soon it will be half way through the year than dare I say we will all be thinking about Christmas again…Eeeek!!! Scary. Also very conscious that my contract here at Novas Scarman will be coming to a head in July. I hope by than I have a full time job lined up I don’t want to have to sign on again and visit the dreaded jobcentre :-O

It’s a shame FJF contracts are not longer than 6 months because afterwards if you don’t have a job lined up what do you do? Go back on the dull? Do another 6 months somewhere else? It will be nice to have some job stability again.

Over the past few weeks I have been a busy bee. I have been working on our new Intranet system, getting to grips with the functions, updating staff directory, and adding content. My boss described as the “intranet guru” the other day hehehe not quite sure I’m up to guru status but I’m grateful for the praise.

One of the other tasks I am working on is an internal communications strategy and how to get people engaging with their colleagues. It is very important that people communicate with other’s something that I think doesn’t always happen in places. If anyone reading this has any ideas please feel free to comment and let me know your ideas. Two heads are better than one as they say.

Right back to work now will update again soon. In the meantime also look out for other FJF employee’s and their blog entries.

Katie Williams 24

Developing my skills

It has been over three months since I started my FJF placement at Novas and I now feel comfortable within my position and more confident about my ability to carry out assigned tasks. One advantage to being an FJF recruit at Novas is that I have the opportunity to attend a number of training courses, each aimed at developing my skills within a particular area of work. The courses are varied, for example, some are designed to improve confidence and communication skills, skills that are essential for progression in any job, whilst other courses like find your focus, encourage you to think a little about your own specific goals. I have attended three of these courses so far, Find Your Focus was particularly useful as I left with a better understanding of the sort of area of work I would like to go into. For me this is a significant step forward as not knowing what I wanted to do was really hindering my progression.

Holly Inch, 24

Over a month working at Novas Scarman

The six weeks that I have been working for NSG seemed to have flown by at a fleeting pace. My two previous jobs were nothing of the sort- at stadium leisure, every minute was uncomfortable, and hours dragged at Debenhams, whereupon my experience mainly revolved around 'recovery' (in other words tidying the shelves every five minutes). NSG is nothing like this- finally I've found an occupation that I thoroughly enjoy, and one that is challenging-one to look forward to waking up every morning, which is something I never expected.

I seem to have moulded to the shape of my job almost effortlessly, naturally, unconsciously. A workmate said to me that because of how laid back and comfortable I seemed, she said it felt like 'I had been working there for ages'. This was a warming comment, and only then did I begin to realise that I felt that way too. Sometimes I'm so comfortable that I accidentally stay an extra half hour by accident without even realising!

I am happy to have this Easter holiday to relax and also reflect. Though with a cold, I feel a sense of purpose in my life again, and feel comfortable exactly where I am in my life now.

steve fretter, 24

Half way through....

Three Months in and everything is still going well. I can’t believe I am half way through my contract here at Novas Scarman.

The training courses have started. A list of the courses we could attend throughout our time here was sent to us to choose and I have attended 2 courses so far, one on Project management and one on new media & Social networking both have been really interesting. Project management gave me a really good insight into the best way of planning projects, like what you need to think about before and during, and different tools to use. It was also nice to meet some more FJF employee’s.

Over the next coming weeks I have booked on to attend Confidence and assertiveness in the work place, working with management and communicating effectively and relationship building.

As part of my day to day job I have been given the task of updating the intranet which is a really big job, I will also be attending some training sessions on this and possibly running them for other people as this is something I will use a lot. Also I am working on ideas for an external newsletter something that I have never done before. I think this will be a good opportunity for me to liaise with other members of the organisation and learn some valuable skills which can be transferred into my next job.

Katie Williams, 24

My Confidence is back...

It’s been 3 months since I started working for Novas Scarman I feel a lot better about my work and my skills. My confidence is back and I can express my ideas and know that they will be taken onboard and acted upon.

Like my plan to generate more business. This plan was the development of a cinema night at the CUC that is open to the staff and the public. I saw an opportunity and acted on it. It did take a while to put the action into place as I wasn’t too sure who was in charge of what in our department. I feel I have joined a really good team. I have met difference types of people outside of our marketing team who know a bit about something. I usually like to think of myself as a self proclaimed “know it all” but I have learnt a few new things about the use of social media and podcasting. To me these seemed like places that people went (online or radio) to have a moan about something and take no action. But I was shown by my boss that it could be used as a business to business communication tool. I was still unsure at first why businesses would want to use this tool. But with new media increasing in use, businesses have to adapt keep up with the trend of the customer.

I think I joined Novas Scarman at a good time, the organisation is currently looking at rebranding and as this was an area I wanted to go into when I left Uni. My boss has invited me along to the branding meeting to see what I can pick up and I have also been told about the opportunity to work one extra day a week at a new media agency.

Watch this space.

Victor Ohene, 23.

Something worthwhile for myself and society

Prior to working for NSG I have been working for the Citizens Advice Bureau as a volunteer for 2 years doing reception administration and in the latter advising. I did not think I would get an offer of employment for a while until I was fully qualified as a Level 3 generalist adviser or choose an area of work that does not lie within my interests/experience. The near future of my employment seemed to be one where I would be on benefits for quite some time , knowing that I am fully capable but not been given the chance to work due to the recession. When I was offered a job via the Future Jobs Fund I almost could not believe it as it had been some time since I was offered paid work doing something worthwhile for myself and society.

I have been working at NSG for one month now. In the time I have been here I have learned a lot and refined my skills, the office environment is a relaxed but focused one where I have been doing research reports. Doing this job has opened my eyes to the inner workings of government processes and the ways organisations work together in partnership to achieve common objectives. I find the job as fundraising assistant very interesting and informative.

In the next six months I will be working towards my future prospects by following my personal development plan which is to go on relevant training and get the certificates I need to progress onto a new level of competency which allows me to follow my career ambitions.

Jerome Prince 25

"Not enough experience"

“Not enough experience” That’s what they told me.

I thought I had it all, the confidence, a university degree, living in London and work experience. Let’s not forget the life experience from living away from home. But nothing can really prepare you for a recession when you’re age 18 to 24.

Soon as I left University I came back to London with a student debt. I applied for jobs and after a few months I was contacted for an interview and I was offered a trail in a marketing role for a branding company. After 2 and a half weeks of being told I was good enough for the job by my potential boss I was contacted by the general manager for an interview and was told that because of the recession they can find some one with more experience in the industry whom would have more contacts than just a graduate.

It was a shock to me, I felt that they were wrong to kept me strung along for that long as I believed that my experience was actually worth something. The follow 6 months turned into a cycle of trips to the job centre and applying online, sending my C.V, calling people. This would usually turn out the same outcome, either no response or a letter with the dreaded one-liner “Not enough experience”. I did get 2 interviews but I was told I was one of many candidates.

This took a knock on my confidence as I was applying for even the entry level jobs. The same thing was happening to my friends who were repeating my story. Some eventually settled on taking the odd Christmas job and seeing where they could take it from there.

I was eventually contacted by the JobCentre and told about the Future Jobs Fund (FJF) and was told that this new government scheme would be beneficial to me.

I applied for a Marketing position with Novas Group then just after Christmas I was called in for an interview.

In the interview I was asked what I wanted to get out of working for Novas Scarman, “I told them some credible experience that I could put on my C.V. and the chance to use my skills and knowledge before they slowly slip away”

I have been working for Novas Scarman for a few weeks now, I have been working with small team of 3 members also (FJF) candidates working on the marketing and development of Novas Scarman. I have been given the chance to work solo on some projects.

Victor Ohene 23

New skills learnt

I have now been at Novas Scarman (NSG) for one month and so far it is all going well. I feel in this time I have made some really good progress. I have learnt how to edit and update the website which was pretty daunting at first knowing I would be responsible for something that everyone could see. I seemed to have picked that up pretty quickly it’s not actually as hard as I thought it would be. This new skill will look great on my CV and open more job possibilities after my contract here has ended.

I am also enjoying working with the other Future Job fund employee’s, it is good that we all come from different backgrounds with different skills. Over the next 6 months I hope to learn as much as possible from them and in turn try and impart some of my own wisdom to them (however little that maybe :-p )

If any other Future job funds employee’s read this we would really lovely to hear from you and your experiences the good, the bad and the ugly. :)

Katie Williams, 24

One month on

In my first post I gave a fairly brief explanation of the Future Jobs Fund Scheme and only touched on my experience at Novas Scarman Group. Admittedly I couldn’t think of too much to write regarding NSG since I had only been working here for a fortnight (six days to be exact). It has now been a month since starting and I would just like to say what a friendly and worthwhile organisation Novas is to work for. I would also like to talk a little more in detail about the useful training that has been offered to me so far.

Last June I purchased a selection of ‘Happy Computer’ Tutorial packs hoping to improve my excel, word and outlook skills. I got as far as the fifth page of the excel pack before consigning it to the bin and despairing over the twenty pounds wasted (a fortune when you’re out of work). The problem wasn’t that they were difficult to follow, rather, being unemployed, I had little in the way of a routine and was finding it difficult to motivate myself to do them.

Since starting Novas I have had training sessions in both outlook and word which have been really useful. These sessions are designed to teach you all the main aspects of these programs. For those who have worked with these programs before, time is offered to address any areas that you are unsure about. Instruction packs are also provided with these sessions. In one month I feel that I have greatly improved in these areas, this is something that I can take with me to my next job.

Holly Inch, 24

Getting back to work with Future Job Funds and Novas Scarman

I recently started at The Novas Scarman Group (NSG), which is taking part in the Future Jobs

Fund scheme. The scheme aims to help 18-24 yr olds who have been out of work for 6 months or more and claiming job seekers allowance to find employment.

Last April I was made redundant and like countless people out there I found it difficult to get back into work. With unemployment figures so high during this period of recession and so many young people finding it difficult to get a job that probably 200 other people are applying for.

The constant rejection was very demoralizing when after sending 100's of CV's out (no not an exaggeration literally 100s) to not get very much back. Knowing that your more than capable to do these jobs it feels like know one wants to give you a chance. I started to think I would never get back to full time employment. Having worked full time since I left college this period of unemployment was very difficult.

Then the Jobcentre talked me through the Future Jobs Fund (FJF) showing me a list of all the possible positions that I could apply for. Finally their seemed to be some light at the end of the tunnel, especially after they told me how soon these jobs could start once you have been offered the role.

I applied for a Job at Novas Scarman Group (NSG) as a marketing assistant and was quickly offered the role. A job which offered me fantastic opportunities to learn something new and help towards my future endeavours.

I have been here now for three weeks and am really grateful for the opportunity to get back to work. Not only is NSG a fantastic and worthwhile organisation to be apart of I feel that by taking part in the Future Jobs Fund and hiring me and many other's NSG are giving people a chance to get back on their feet and develop their skills.

Katie Williams, 24

A New year and New Start.

Following the obligatory January 1^st hangover, consideration of the year ahead is likely to induce some feeling of apprehension for even the most sorted of individuals. For those currently out of employment, particularly those who are young and at the beginning of their careers, the future can seem both bleak and daunting.

A recent survey reported that the rate of unemployment among 18-24 year olds has jumped from 12% to more than 17% within the last year. Figures like this have prompted the government to take action. First announced in the 2009 Budget, the Future Jobs Fund (FJF) is a fund of around £1 billion aimed at tackling rising unemployment by creating jobs for long time unemployed young people. From early 2010, anyone between the ages of 18-24 who has been out of work for more than six months will receive an offer of a job, work experience, or training for a period of at least six months.

It is through the FJF that I have been able to start a six-month placement at Novas Scarman Group (NSG), a social charity that works locally throughout England and Wales to create new opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities. I’ll be working under Stuart Ball, director of operations for NSG as a trainee administrator and will be responsible for managing Stuart’s dairy, arranging meetings and completing other general administrative tasks.

Prior to joining NSG I had been out of work for quite a long period of time and was finding it increasingly difficult to find any kind of job let alone one in my desired area. It was through the Jobcentre plus that I was referred to FJF and subsequently NSG. So far working for NSG has been fulfilling and extremely beneficial, I had little experience of working with office excel and office outlook which may have hindered me when previously sending out applications for clerical and administrative positions. Now I feel confident working with these programs and believe that what is so good about FJF is that it offers experience, training and a wage to those starting out with little or no experience and in an area of work that they are interested in.

Holly Inch, 24