Playing a vital role in helping young people

FROM work tasters to mock interviews and work placements that lead to a job, Street League’s awardwinning programmes, combining sport, accredited learning and practical work experience, have supported 5851 young people into work and further education since 2010.

Dougie Stevenson, Street League’s managing director for Scotland said “The young people we support have aspirations to gain employment in everything from childcare and warehousing to sports coaching and retail.

We offer surety to each employer and in turn - through work placements, employment and Modern Apprenticeship opportunities - our employer partners give young people the opportunity to put the skills and confidence they’ve developed through our programme into practice.

Our relationships with DHL and People’s Postcode Lottery as well as our network of small local employers across Scotland are an integral part of our programme, eradicating poverty and enabling opportunities by creating pathways for unemployed young people into the workforce and to become active citizens.” IF EVERY job interview involved a kick-about on a football pitch or a training session in the gym, more youngsters would be enthused about their career prospects.

But, too often, the ambitions of young people leaving school are crushed by the stark reality of the workplace.

Street League can restore these hopes and dreams through a combination of sport and employment training.

For Johnmichael Green, his career with DHL Express literally started with a game of football.

It was an opportunity to break the ice with the people who would later become his colleagues after the school leaver was signed up for a five-week placement.

One year later, Johnmichael is now a trusted and respected member of the DHL team, and works as a courier driver for the firm.

At DHL’s Glasgow Service Centre in Paisley, they are really proud to have an average workspan of 17 years, with the longest serving member of staff working with them for 35 years. However, the fresh eyes and perspective of the 20-year-old from Ferguslie were also very much welcomed by the team.

“We have a wide spectrum of people here and having a diversity in the workplace is absolutely brilliant,” says Richie Lloyd, the service centre manager. “Johnmichael brought new things to our business.

“Our warehouse environment