Jobs Growth scheme helps two youngsters find work in Llanelli

Two young people have been taken on by a Llanelli shop thanks to the Communities First Jobs Growth Wales scheme.
Jonathan Armstrong, owner of Emilia May Gifts in the St. Elli Shopping Centre, Llanelli, is one of a number of local employers who have taken advantage of the scheme by recruiting two new members of staff – Kayleigh Brown and Larissa Parton - with the help of Hannah Evans, Jobs Growth Wales mentor for Communities First.
The scheme offers young people aged 16-24 full time job opportunities, paid at national minimum wage for a period of six months. The Welsh Government provides funding to local employers for 26 weeks for giving young people the opportunity to gain good quality work experience within their business.
The aim is that these jobs will become sustainable jobs following the end of the scheme allowing young people to remain in employment.
Kayleigh, from Felinfoel, Llanelli, attended a ‘Have a Go’ event organised by Communities First in January last year to access information on furthering skills, training courses and employment opportunities. Having obtained qualifications in retail through previous training and work placements, she was looking for full-time employment in this area of work to support her young family.
She received support from Hannah Evans to spruce up her CV and was successful in securing the role as Shop Assistant.
Kayleigh said: “I’m really happy with the way the job is going. I’m learning customer service, communication and IT skills and receiving training on computers re: the products we sell.”
Following a move over the summer last year to a new premises and the expansion of the business, a further Communities First Jobs Growth Wales position was created. Larissa Parton successfully applied for the vacancy as Sales Assistant and started last November. She had been working part-time in retail but was looking for more hours and this was the perfect opportunity for her.
She said: “It’s a full time job which I love and I love the kind of store that it is.”
Employer Jonathan said: “Larissa has really settled in well and is making a great impression. She is great with customers and is really embracing the Welsh language with our customers.
“Kayleigh has now completed her 26 weeks and she did extremely well during that time with us. She has become a great part of the team.
“She has been offered a permanent contract of employment on a part time basis. This has worked out very well as she was looking at spending more time with her daughter whilst remaining in employment and she is very happy with this.”