Exeter man gets his JETS on for dream job
Like many others Cameron Bedford struggled to find a job during the pandemic, but he’s now fulfilling his passion for science thanks to tailored support through a government scheme.
The Exeter man, 22, is one of 1,760 people across Southern England who started on the government’s £238 million JETS – Job Entry Targeted Support – scheme over the last seven months.
Cameron, who has a biomedical science degree, is now working for Exeter University as a Laboratory Technician and is thankful for all the support he received in starting his career.
Reflecting on his experience with the programme, Cameron said: “Reading Biomedical science at university ignited my passion for the subject to such a degree, that I decided to turn my studies into a career. However, the interruptions to my studies and lack of relevant employment opportunities, caused by the pandemic, left me feeling that my aspirations would be not be realised. I continued to apply for many jobs but received countless rejections, which left me feeling very unmotivated.
“But things improved when my Work Coach provided me with the personal support I needed. She checked my progress through regular keep-in-touch phone calls, supported me to set achievable goals and provided information on vacancies. I also received help to brush up my CV and interview skills through online meetings.
“Being successfully placed on the JETS scheme as a Laboratory Technician at a university has been a game changer. I've been there for nearly six months and gained valuable experience to help me my career, which I hope I can develop further by studying for a PHD and through work.”
On average, nearly 500 jobseekers a day across Great Britain have started on the Government’s £238 million JETS – Job Entry Targeted Support – scheme over the last seven months. And just under 13,000 have already returned to work after securing new roles through JETS.
With opportunities opening up as the country proceeds carefully along the roadmap to Covid-recovery, it means the Department for Work and Pensions is well on the way to hitting its target of helping 250,000 by September.
Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP said: “Behind these figures are real people like Cameron dealt a rough hand by the impact on jobs of the pandemic who are now receiving vital support to get back into work, at a time when they need it most.
“Our Plan for Jobs is delivering and opening up opportunities in every region and nation across the country, and we remain relentlessly focused on turning our jabs success into jobs success as we push to build back better.”
Chris Luck, Chief Executive of the Shaw Trust, one of the JETS providers added: “We know that good work is more than just a job; it gives purpose and brings a sense of well-being.
“At Shaw Trust, in partnership with the DWP, we are proud to support hundreds to return to work and see them begin to rebuild their lives."
The support helps people out of work for three months by giving them access to the tailored, flexible support needed to move back into work quickly. That includes specialist advice on how they can utilise existing, or build new, skills to move into growing sectors where jobs are available such as green energy and construction, as well as CV and interview guidance.
The announcement follows new employment figures released last month that showed the unemployment rate had fallen for a third month to 4.8% – with the Government continuing to ramp up support to get people back into work.
Once enrolled, the tailored programme also gives job hunters the boost they need to return to employment through an action plan agreed with their personal adviser, peer support and signposting to opportunities to build vital skills.
JETS is a key pillar of the Government’s Plan for Jobs which is helping people of all ages into work. The flagship Kickstart Scheme has seen an average of 400 young people a day start a job over the last month, with over 200,000 new high quality jobs created.
To help deliver the Plan, the DWP has recruited an additional 13,500 Work Coaches to protect, support and create jobs across the country, providing one-to-one support tailored to individual claimants and local jobs markets.
