First event is in Gravesham, opening address by Leader of Gravesham Council Cllr John Burden. John is a local businessman and has his own experiences to offer. MP Adam Holloway will be visting.

The Federation of Small Businesses, IOD, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and other buisness organisations will be there  to support, along with Young Enterprise, Connexions, Kent Foundation and Kent Choices 4U .  See the flyer

A truly Business in the Community event – cheap to exhibit and free to attend.

A Business Roadshow repeated throughout the year in various towns in Kent where local business, consumers and young people network to see:

• what local products and services are available
• what new products and services are being launched
• Real-Life entrepreneurs
• seminars to help develop business
• how business owners can help the student journney

An outline of the event:

• a business exhibition
• keynote speaker(s)
• breakout presentations by local business people
• student interviews with business owners
• showcase area – student interactive zone
• development of real business engagement in education
• role of voluntary sector
• the student journey – stepping stones to employment

So First Steps was only able to be active during 10 of the 18months when young people could be employed in the scheme.

Our last two employees ‘graduated’ in September. So as we close the door on the Future Job Fund we leave you with two comments from the beneficiaries of the programme.

James French who joined us with no work experience – “First Steps has helped me turn my life around for the better.”

Chris Stead, who graduated from the University of Huddersfield in July 2010 – “It has been a great experience and learning curve. I’ve been allowed to take responsibility when ready. More people should be given this chance.”

Commenting on the journey, Neville Gaunt said “The national problem of youth unemployment needs a corporate solution. Not only do we need to plug the problem that exists today, but put measures in place whereby every young person has some valued experience of the working environment.  However, we have found there is very little joined up thinking and there’s far too much protectionism going on and that blocks any attempt at a real sustainable solution to the problem.

If we encourage collaboration we can soon reach the critical mass needed to make a permanent difference. Shared ideas, shared services, shared practices – if the commercial giants in the oil industry can work together then anyone can. The really good news is that we’ve met a few like-minded groups along our journey and together we will make change happen.

Without the help of others, First Steps just wouldn’t have got off the starting blocks. Of special mention is Steve Edwards, whose daily support has been invaluable. Together, we’ve learnt a lot and we’re now developing those opportunities so that others can benefit.”

Year 10 pupils at Oakwood Park Grammar School, Maidstone, experienced REAL enterprise problems during a ‘Challenge Day’ organised by AB Consulting.

The Royal Bank of Scotland, Maidstone Leisure Centre, The Mall, Jacobs Engineering and Maidstone Chamber of Commerce set the problems, and the solutions were considered by a panel of judges (below).

From the right: Neville Gaunt from the Federation of Small Businesses and Director of FirsT Steps to Employment, Andy Brading from AB Consulting and governors Brian Calderwood and Julie Murton

The winning team were: Jack Ball, Christopher Brundey, Andrew Collins, Frederick Muir and Harry Phipps.

Lots of business startups, SME’s and third sector organisations have a great deal to say about what they do but get frustrated that thier website takes longer and is more expensive to update than facebook.

We’ve now got a training course for anyone that can use word. They can be in control of anything on their website.

For more details, keep an eye on the SME Websites section of the First Steps website

First Steps, The Railway Tavern and TAG Hairdressers come toegther in support of Help for Heroes

National Armed Forces Charity Fun Day – The Railway Tavern, Bexley – 25th June 2011
Peter Sampson, manager of the Railway Tavern, in Bexley High Street, is holding an event for National Armed Forces Day on June 25^th for Help for Heroes. Local2US, run by First Steps, is also helping to promote it.

“I believe it’s a good thing to do, it’s great for the troops and I just want to say thank you for what they are doing out there.” Peter says proudly.

There is also a whole host of entertainment available from face-painting, pony rides and a bouncy castle to a BBQ being run by the local T.A, a teddy bear raffle and an evening disco. Amongst the fund-raisers is First Steps employee Christopher Stead. Chris is having his ponytail cut off by one of the local High Street hairdressers, TAG.

“It’ll be a sad day, but a great cause,” says Chris ”I want to do something good; raise money for a really good cause and have a little bit of fun at the same time.” Chris has a Justgiving page which people can donate money to www.justgiving.com/christopher-stead  There’s a target of £500 just for his hair, with more fun things to do on the day.

All proceeds from the fun day and the haircut will be going to the Help for Heroes charity.

“My regulars in the pub have always been very generous in the past and I hope other people in the village will come down and join in on the fun if they can,” Peter added “Even a few pounds they can donate or spend will make a huge difference and mean Help for Heroes can continue their invaluable work supporting our troops and their families.”

There is also a free drink voucher to anyone who downloads it from the Local2Us website – www.local2us.co.uk/bexley/index.php/events

“There’s nothing difficult or unique in the design of First Steps “, Neville said, “as it’s back to the basic fundamentals of supply and demand. If you can identify a need in the community, residents and business, and you can supply that need at the price people can or want to pay, and in a volume that is repeatable and sustainable, then you have a business. It really is as simple as that. The difficulty comes at start-up, as it needs a capital injection but that’s where we have applied joined up thinking. The next issue is working with local businesses and help them grow without displacing their current business, and we have a solution for that too.”

Currently First Steps is promoting a programme to engage the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), “Keep Trade Local” campiagn, through it’s www.Local2Us.co.uk dynamic website approach that links a local community to their own high street and local businesses. “It’s a VERY localised programme and not like the national alternatives that have huge areas like Yell.com” said Neville.

” It’s clear we need to get local businesses involved at the outset” said Clive, chairing the meeting, and asked Neville to get commitment from his FSB colleagues in Edenbridge to engage in the discussion. “That won’t be a problem”, said Neville.

Our thanks to Edenbridge partnership for the invite, and we look forward to developing a First Steps solution in the Edenbridge area.

Does your town have a local Partnership that wants to help with youth employment? If you have a ‘can do’ attitude you can do anything. All YOU have to do is believe it.

Leave your opinions on youth unemployment in the comment box below.

We’re in Bexley High Street promting the day and launching a new integrated community website www.Local2Us.co.uk 

Lots on prizes to be won and it’s all for a great cause – Comic Relief - all the prizes have been generously donated by local traders – we really are KEEPING TRADE LOCAL

Come and have some fun – it may be wet but it’s brightening up. New young bands on show!

We have had young volunteers and work experience students within our programme. It’s not just trades people, as we have a company that needs office, marketing, sales, PR, accounting, IT and ….. there’s every role you could imagine.

We have branched out and we now support other SMEs – one of our lastest ventures is www.Local2Us.co.uk/bexley which is all about Keep Trade Local and promoting local businesses to local residents – an integrated community site. 

Yes – we’re therefore in Bexley too! 

Keep watching!