The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has created six job placements for young people through the government-funded Kickstart Scheme, in partnership with NPTC group of colleges. The Authority’s Kickstart placements are 25 hours a week for six months, available to 18-24-year- olds and based in a variety of locations across the National Park.
At Craig-y-nos Country Park in the Upper Swansea Valley, two Estate Worker Kickstart job placements will assist the Country Park’s team in undertaking ground maintenance tasks. This will include vegetation control, path repairs and conservation projects such as species surveying, ditch maintenance and invasive species control. The National Park Visitor Centre at Libanus has a placement for one Retail Assistant to join the Centre’s team in delivering a welcome to visitors to the National Park, and support the delivery and maintenance of the information centre, the shop and its grounds. Based at the Authority Offices in Brecon will be three further Kickstart jobs: An IT Support Assistant who will be involved in working as part of the National Park Authority’s Information Technology team and include answering support calls and tickets and assigning to senior members of the IT-based on fault description. A Youth Ambassador who will support the National Park to develop youth-friendly policies and procedures to create more opportunities for all young people and a Communications Support Assistant to support the Communications Team to deliver key messages about the National Park and the projects and core work programmes we deliver.
The Kickstart programme is for young people who are claiming Universal Credit and are at risk of long-term unemployment. The six job placements within the Beacons National Park Authority will receive employability and wellbeing support provided by Pathways Training at NPTC Group of Colleges including a nominated Training Officer to provide support and monitor their progress.
Stephanie Evans, National Park Authority Transition Director said,
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the NPTC group of colleges to offer six Kickstart job placements to young people across the Brecon Beacons National Park. The successful applicants will be working with our experienced teams, learning a wide range of skills that will help them in gaining future employment. If you care about the future of our environment and our National Park, why not come and join us.”
Nicola Thornton-Scott, Assistant Principal Skills at NPTC Group of Colleges said,
“The Scheme gives individuals the chance to learn new skills and gain valuable work experience during their six-month placements, whilst being energised about the company and the sector as a whole. Working together, the College and the National Park will ensure all individuals receive a comprehensive skills training programme along with employability support.”
For those who meet the eligibility criteria of being aged 18-24 years old, claiming Universal Credit and have a referral from their Work Coach at Jobcentre Plus, head to the National Park Authority’s website www.beacons-npa.gov.uk/the-authority/job-vacancies/ to apply.
