Celebrating the city's young achievers

Sheffield employment programme Talent Match presented awards to 21 local individuals, all aged 18-24, this month, for their accomplishments in volunteering, helping to shape the programme, entering education, meeting challenges at enterprise camp, being young entrepreneurs and independently gaining employment on the wage fund programme.

Talent Match is aimed at those not in employment, education or training - helping them to promote themselves, build skills, gain work experience and find employment. It is a national programme set up to tackle youth unemployment in 21 areas of England hardest hit by the economic downturn.

Talent Match Manager, Jo Booth, said: “We’re so proud of the achievements of the young people on the Talent Match programme and we wanted to recognise that at our annual awards ceremony.

“Many of the young people lacked confidence when they started the programme and, for some, collecting their award in front of a room full of people was a huge accomplishment.

“Talent Match has supported over 1100 people in the region in the last three years, through hubs in Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster. As a result of this programme, 150 young people are now in employment, 100 have taken on work placements, 80 have begun volunteering, 200 have re-entered education and 40 have taken on an apprenticeship.”

Phil Hayes from Groundwork South Yorkshire said: “At Talent Match, we tailor our work to each young person and recognise their needs. This is so important and creates a holistic and creative approach to helping young adults to achieve their goals. We are proud to celebrate their achievements.”