A young job seeker is carving out a new career at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) after becoming one of the first people to benefit from a newly created employment club in the city.

Jack Burns, aged 23, from Kings Heath, was referred to UHB’s Learning Hub through the Birmingham Jobs Fund, which is part funded by Birmingham City Council and the Department of Work and Pensions.

Birmingham has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the country and the newly created fund provides subsidies encouraging employers to offer job opportunities to young people.

It is hoped that UHB can create up to 50 new posts for young job seekers in the city, starting with Jack.

He was initially helped as a job seeker at the Northfield office of Birmingham employment and training specialist Pertemps People Development Group before being referred to the Learning Hub.  

Although Jack had previously secured a temporary position with Royal Mail, employment coach Sam Thorne felt he would benefit from the partnership established with the team at the Hub who could further enhance his employability skills.

Karen Wright, a performance manager with UHB, said: “Two vacancies arose within the performance team for entry-level posts and a colleague suggested recruiting via the Birmingham Jobs Fund.

“As a new concept the Fund appealed, enabling us to invite exclusive applications from young and locally unemployed candidates. We could also facilitate the interview process all from within the Learning Hub on-site.”

Of the eight applicants interviewed, Jack clearly stood out as a leading candidate, was offered a job and accepted.

A month on and Jack has completed a number of training courses and familiarised himself with the hospital’s IT system where his administration skills are being utilised to help improve data quality.

Jack said: “If it wasn’t for the relationship between Pertemps People Development Group and the Learning Hub I wouldn’t have been in a position to secure the vacancy.

“I now feel that I have a great future ahead of me and a career I can develop.

“My message to other young people in a similar position would be to be persistent. Your job is out there and you have to keep looking for the right opportunity.”