John Pye Launches 12 Work Placements To Help Young People “Kickstart” Their Careers

National online auctioneer John Pye Auctions has pledged to help youngsters jumpstart their careers with a range of work placements at its South Wales site.

The firm created six placements at its Port Talbot site, which are currently just over a month into their probation, with a further six soon to be made available via the government’s Kickstart Scheme as a direct result of the initial placement’s success. The new starters will be given the opportunity to gain invaluable experience at the fastest growing online auction company in the UK and potentially secure a permanent position within the team.

The Kickstart Scheme was launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), to offer high-quality 6-month work placements to young people aged 16-34 who currently claim Universal Credit and are at high-risk of long-term unemployment.

Adam Pye, managing director at John Pye Auctions, said: “It’s a very busy and exciting time at John Pye and we are delighted to support young people get into work through the Kickstart Scheme at our South Wales site. These are new roles that have been created within the business and will help them to build confidence, skills, and experience in a unique working environment.”

The Kickstart Scheme roles at John Pye are accessed via a referral from the Jobcentre and the roles include: picker/packer, logistics assistant, office junior/customer services, data wiping/tech assistant and recycling/environmental co-ordinators. These roles will also include training and learning interview skills, additional training in specific fields, teamwork, communication skills and supporting with self-confidence. 

Jonathan Beasley, John Pye Auctions’ South Wales site manager, added: “The Kickstart Scheme gives us the perfect chance to take on young people who may not have found work and support, train and develop them in a high-quality job placement. 

“Many businesses and communities have taken a huge hit during the pandemic, and the scheme allows other companies to help tackle economic inequality and improve community integration. It’s also a great opportunity for us to trial new roles within the business and potentially offer new, permanent positions at John Pye.”

The role will require working a minimum of 25 hours-per-week for a total of six months and the team will provide additional training and support to assist successful applicants with securing long-term work after the placement has been completed.

To apply for the roles, applicants must be aged between 16 and 24 years old and registered for Universal Credit. Applicants must be registered at their local Jobcentre, where their work coach will help them to fill in an application. To find out more about John Pye Auctions and the roles available, please visit: www.johnpye.co.uk or join the conversation on Twitter @John_Pye.