For the third year, Catch22 will be working with KFC to deliver the Hatch employability programme in Greater Manchester, supporting young people aged 18-24 and not in employment, education or training (NEET) into work for the first time.
Our goal is not only to provide young people with work experience. We also seek to increase their social and emotional resilience, work readiness skills, and build their confidence to pursue new opportunities. We are also passionate about ensuring young people have access to quality work opportunities. That’s why we work with partners like KFC who can provide paid opportunities for young people who are yet to have any experience in the world of work.
What do Hatch participants get?
We provide participants with the skills, confidence, and experience needed to get themselves into a positive destination, whether that be employment, an apprenticeship or continued education. Young people are given four weeks of paid work experience at a local KFC store, which includes 13 hours of paid work per week and, upon completion, participants are guaranteed an interview for a continued role.
Catch22 also provides wrap-around pastoral support, ensuring the work experience is a success and to help alleviate any barriers young people may face. This ensures young people stay engaged with the programme until the end. We even deliver a two-day employability training to prepare participants for the world of work and provide support to employers if any difficulties arise.
What impact does the programme have?
In 2024, we supported over 100 individuals on Hatch and continually seek to support those furthest from the labour market. For example, almost all of last year’s Hatch programme participants were not in education employment or training before signing up and many participants started the programme lacking the confidence and knowledge to access quality jobs. One participant shared, ‘At the end of my placement I had to deliver a final presentation. The team were so helpful and supportive it really helped me build that skill and my confidence.’ Upon completing the pre-employment training, 93 of the participants went on to start a work placement.
“Knowing someone was there to talk to, especially if something was going wrong. Like, having that security in your head that someone from Catch22 has got my best interests at heart.”
Hatch participant
Find out more about Hatch