An excellent resource for young people (Connexions Direct)

Member Name: Assasin

Product:	Connexions Direct
Date:	16/10/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Confidential advice and information

Disadvantages: The job must be frustrating at times

Connexions Newcastle

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri 9.30-5.30
Sat 10-5
Closed Sun

Address: 2 Eldon Court, Percy Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7YB
Telephone: 0191 277 1944
Email: helpline@connexions-tw.co.uk
Website: www.connexions-tw.co.uk/newcastle

Connexions is a government funded service who help 13-19 year olds with all aspects of life. They also offer a wealth of information on education, sexual health, mental health, careers, independent living, relationships and much more.

A friend of mine has a 16 year old son who is causing her some sleepless nights just now. He recently left school with poor GCSE results (he refused point blank to consider resits or to attend college) and told her he was going to get a job. Now as we all know, that is easier said than done, especially in the current economic climate.

Since leaving school, he has visited his local Connexions office a few times, with his mum going with him on occasion. He complains that Connexions are "useless" as they haven't found him a job. My friend on the other half, believes that they have offered as much help and advice as humanly possible, and constantly remind him that it is not their responsibility to find him a job, but his own.

An average conversation with a Connexions Personal Adviser goes as follows;

So what have you tried so far to find work? I've looked online.

Have you considered going round local places and asking if they are looking for staff and if not, leaving a CV so they can contact you in the future? I'm not doing that, it's embarrassing.

There are some vacancies advertised on our notice board, could you maybe apply for some of them? Nah, the wages are crap.

Perhaps you could look at a course of some kind to boost your skills and improve your CV? No way

The conversations always seem to end the same way, the Connexions staff suggest ways to seek work or boost his chances of gaining employment, and my friends son turns his nose up. There were vacancies advertised in the local MacDonalds and he refused to apply, stating that he "wasn't working there". He then bemoans the fact that he is unable to claim benefits, believing the government to be at fault for this unfair decision, he actually says "what am I supposed to live on?" and wonders why his poor mum is so outraged!

Lets face it, the less qualifications that you have, the less likely you are to be given a highly paid job, and even with qualifications, most of us have to start at the bottom and work our way up, that's just life. Job seeking does involve more than looking at a few websites, nobody is going to walk into your bedroom and give you a job! As for claiming benefits, surely the system is there to help people who for whatever reason, are unable to help themselves. Not just people who don't want to earn money in certain types of job because they perceive it as embarrassing. I work hard for my money and see no reason why I should pay tax to subsidise someone who just doesn't want to work, unless it is in a "cool" job!

In addition to being fantastically patient, the staff in Connexions really do try to help. they help with CVs, help young people apply for vacancies, give interview tips and advice. It must be a difficult job to be faced with people with attitudes like those of my friend son, and yet they remain positive and genuinely try to help. I hope that there are as many young people who appreciate the support that is offered as there are those who don't. When I was growing up, there was no such service and I believe that it would have been hugely beneficial. My friend is of the opinion that the staff deserve a medal - and I think that she does too!

Fingers crossed that her son recognises this too and joins the real world soon!

Summary: If you are 13-19 then try Connexions