A STRUGGLING young jobseeker finally found full-time employment after receiving support from the Swindon Jobcentre.

Brandon Jones had applied for several office administration vacancies but they were all unsuccessful, despite him building up good skills during jobcentre work experience.

His work coach Angelique Holgate encouraged him to apply for a role with PGL Leisure through the government's Kickstart programme and the 24-year-old impressed staff at the Liddington-based company during his interview.

PGL is a supportive disability-confident employer and employee Dave Jury made some adjustments to the role so that it would be suitable for Brandon, who uses a wheelchair.

Brandon happily accepted the job after receiving a tour of the site and now carries out reception work and works on the till in the shop on-site.

He said: "Kickstart has provided me with a great opportunity to gain experience and build confidence. I would recommend other young people in my position of looking for work join up to the scheme."

Dave Jury said: "PGL’s business is helping children learn and grow through visits to our residential outdoor activity centres - and our commitment to young people doesn’t stop when they turn 18.

"We are pleased to be involved in the Kickstart scheme and to be able to help young people back into work following lockdown.

"I met Brandon during a day of interviews organised by Swindon Job Centre Plus. I was impressed by his enthusiasm and experience in office based customer service roles. He was keen to get more involved in a more face to face customer service role.

The hospitality assistant job role involves catering, housekeeping, shop and bar work.

Mr Jury added: "We identified parts of the retail role that Brandon could do plus reception work which he was keen to give a go.

"PGL Liddington needed extra staff in these areas so it made sense to adapt the role. We adjusted the job description and was impressed by the flexible approach from Kickstart in approving the modified job role which allowed Brandon to start work."

Jobcentre manager Julie Marshall said: "Kickstart is a great opportunity for young people to gain important skills to support them into work.

"I would advise any young people looking for work to contact their work coach at the Jobcentre for further information."

Disability Confident is a government scheme designed to encourage employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with health conditions.. It is voluntary and has been developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives.

Kickstart is a UK government scheme which provides funding to companies to create new 6-month job placements for 16 to 24-year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment. The paid placements will help the young people to develop transferable skills to help kick start their careers.