Homebase kickstarts new jobs for youngsters in Inverurie

Homebase is creating 300 jobs across Britain for young people – and it continued its recruitment in Inverurie in September, as part of the Government’s Kickstart Scheme.

Opportunity for 16 to 24-year-olds to kickstart their career in retail with Homebase scheme

The Scheme has generated four jobs in the Inverurie store, giving people aged 16-24 in the area the chance to learn valuable new skills, gain real life work experience and build confidence so that they are prepared to take on the challenges and exciting prospects in the bright careers that lie ahead.

Inverurie’s newest team members include Shane Morrison, Jason Stewart, Cameron MacKenzie and Daniel Millar who found their employment impacted during the Covid-19 pandemic and chose the Kickstart scheme to supercharge their professional development.

Cameron, who is immunosuppressed, found the first months of the pandemic challenging. He said: “I had to shield during Covid-19 which it made it difficult for me to find a job. After searching for almost two years, I came across the scheme through my universal credit work coach – and I’m so glad I did. There are so many ways for me to develop my skills for the future at Homebase.”

Shane was similarly impacted, he shared: “I was made redundant a few days before the first lockdown and found it really difficult to find my next role. After applying for 40 different jobs and going through 11 interviews, I secured a place on the scheme!”

When job searching, Daniel was keen to join the Homebase team said: “I’d heard about the great work culture and as I’m local to the Inverurie store, I jumped at the chance to get a place on the Scheme. In the long term, I’d like to continue in my role at Homebase – using what I learn in the next six months to find my real passion.”

And Jason said he values the range of opportunities in the Scheme most: “I really enjoy retail work and was looking for a new challenge in my next role. The Scheme provides great support for me to develop my confidence and skills in the workplace – building on my work in previous roles.”

The six-month Scheme will include skill-based training throughout, providing each young person with the opportunity to gain valuable experience. From stock management processes, digital sales, customer relationship management and health and safety processes, to problem-solving, organisation and teamwork, these are just some of the skills that Homebase’s new team members can expect to learn and take with them into their future careers.

In partnership with The Prince’s Trust, a UK-wide youth charity with 45 years’ worth of experience specialising in youth employability support, Homebase’s new team members will receive support every step of the way, with access to the charity’s network of youth support workers, partners and mentors. The Kickstart Scheme is also funded by Department of Work and Pensions to ensure every young person participating will be guaranteed National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage.

Homebase is proud to be involved in the Kickstart Scheme, providing young people at risk of unemployment with the opportunity to begin their career at a retailer with over 40 years of expertise.

To find out more information about Kickstart please click the link