The Charity has been awarded Silver under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme for their support to cadet forces and the wider Armed Forces.
The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award is the second highest badge of honour presented to organisations that demonstrate their support to the Armed Forces and inspire others to do the same.

As a silver award winner, The Charity has gone above and beyond to support the armed forces community and upholds a positive stance for employees who are veterans, Reservists and Cadet Force Adult volunteers, as well as spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces. 

Kurtis-Jay Castle - Founder, Chairman and CEO

“As a charity, we value the skills that veterans and reservists bring to the table, and more importantly for us it's about enabling them to pass the skills and experiences they’ve got onto the young people.

“We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to learn, and develop in life, regardless of their backgrounds and having strong models such as veterans to look up to can have massive effect on the lives of young people.”
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Under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, employers support Defence personnel and encourage others to do the same. The Scheme has three levels, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. To achieve Silver, organisations must proactively demonstrate that the Armed Forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as part of their recruitment policies. They must also actively ensure their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards Defence people issues. 

Kirstie Lawrence, the Ministry of Defence’s Deputy Regional Employer Engagement Director for the East Midlands, said: 

“We are delighted that so many local businesses have been recognised with this Silver Award. Despite the pressures of the last few years, these companies have taken the time to ensure our Armed Forces community is supported. It is gratifying to see that, whatever the size of the business, there is a place for the Armed Forces Covenant, and they recognise the benefits of working with Defence. They should be proud of this significant achievement.”

​Nottinghamshire based charity, The Youth Enterprise & Employability Academy is starting an annual campaign called coats for children with the slogan “Warm Heart for Warm Child” as hundreds of vulnerable children across the UK left out in the cold this winter.

This campaign is first and foremost about providing vulnerable children a warm coat over the winter period, schools across Nottinghamshire can simply submit a request in writing/email to the charity with the age(s) of child(ren), name of Teacher/Youth Leader and school/Youth Organisations submitting required. but it’s about highlighting the issues.

Charity Founder, Kurtis-Jay Castle and Governor of multiple schools across Nottinghamshire said, His heart felt "broken" when he had to spend a good ten or more minutes with two year five children whilst they warmed up after arriving at school without, or heavily damaged coats.

“After talking to teachers across Nottinghamshire alone, it became more apparent that more and more vulnerable children arriving at schools without, or  coats that simply aren’t fit for purpose and junior schools seem to be the worst off at the moment.

He than adds, “Unfortunately, it came as a bit of a surprise as we didn’t expect it to be as big of an issue, out of the first five schools alone that we contacted, every one of them had required at least three or more coats and some are still waiting on teachers to get back to them.”

The charity has started Coats for Children campaign with around 40 Coats that range up to the age of ten year-old which they received with a heavily discounted price from Primark. First few hours of sharing this with a few schools more than half have been delivered to schools across Nottinghamshire.

In order for the charity to maintain this unexpected demand,  they need your help. So, they have created a amazon wish-list link to which can be found below:
https://amzn.to/3EphCNG Or, you make a donation, by check write out to Youth Enterprise & Employability Academy. Unfortunately, they cannot accept second-hand coats as they’ve no means of washing them, and added concerns around Covid it simply to risky at this stage. However we fully intend to in the future.

With this Public Health Crisis, that we are all facing together, thousands of young people across Nottinghamshire are feeling the pain that has come with it; as hundreds of them are being let go right at the start of their careers because businesses are having to make hard choices to reduce costs, and hundreds more young people are simply unable to even start their own career path whatever that maybe.

Youth Enterprise & Employability Academy has already seen the damage this pandemic has done to young peoples’ hopes and dreams, it is only going to get worse as more young people are preparing to leave school in few months having missed exams and facing the prospect of a reduction in job prospects.

It goes without any doubt that youth unemployment is continuing to skyrocket during this pandemic. But, on the brighter side of life, we have spoken to young people from across Nottinghamshire who are finding their very own feet, so to speak.
 
As they take on new opportunities to succeed and thrive by beginning an entrepreneurial journey instead. This pandemic is leading more youngsters down the entrepreneurial route than ever before, while this is remarkable, our young people cannot do it totally alone.

We need to create a supportive environment to promote their strengths, abilities, and aid them with achieving their entrepreneurial ambition, we also support those that are about to start their journey into the world of work by ensuring that when they do leave education they are prepared for the challenges that come their way.
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Whilst there is light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to this pandemic, the damage will remain for many years and now more than ever our Small Nottinghamshire based charity is feeling their pain too. So, enable us to continue providing support and opportunities for young people.

A Small Local Charity, Youth Enterprise & Employability Academy, is today celebrating after being awarded almost £10,000 in National Lottery Funding, this comes after Academy surveyed firms across Nottinghamshire and found 84% thought school leavers were not ready for employment.

In fact of the companies surveyed three-quarters put the situation down to a lack of work experience, but then when we asked them do they offer work experience over half of them said they do not offer it, because of the cost and time needed and lack of information about what is involved which is putting them offering work-experience.

In addition, to work experience nine out of ten companies surveyed said young people did not have even basic skills such as communication or team work, whilst 73% of young people believe they are good at communicating and 55% believe they are good at working in a team.

That is why the Youth Enterprise & Employability Academy is developing its employability programs that proactively engage with young people in order to help them to identify the skills needed for the world of work

The charity, based in Worksop in North Nottinghamshire, will use the cash to run activities for young people and aid with its development.

Youth Enterprise & Employability Academy has been running since 2015, becoming a charity in 2019 and is staffed by volunteers.

It was founded by Kurtis-Jay Castle, Charlotte Baines and Jodie Streets after research carried out by the now charity, there was clear indications that young people from across Nottinghamshire would benefit from the Employability program.

The Charity will use these funds for its employability program which helps youth from across county to make friends, but more importantly learning new skills and having fun. While enjoyable, they are also gaining greater confidence, problem solving and important collaboration skills.

The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will see the extending and developing the Employ-ability Program.

At the same time, the charity will continue to pays attention to issues and concerns young people have and employers, in order to provide the best possible support for them.

Kurtis-Jay Castle, Founder & Chair of Youth Enterprise & Employability Academy says: “We’re ecstatic that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised the academy in this way. So, would like to take this opportunity thank everyone who plays the lottery, we will be able to press on with the development of our employ-ability program and broaden the range of opportunities available to young people.

Kurtis-Jay than adds, “it’s only thanks to the hard work and commitment made by Jodie Streets and the rest of the team that we are here today, however sadly Miss Street is no longer with us, therefore our deepest condolences once again go out to her family.”

Jade Allan, Trustee of Youth Enterprise & Employability Academy says: “It is incredible that we’ve recognized this way, however we have to continue to raise funds and building partnerships with organisations across the county to make a difference"

84% firms believes school leavers are unprepared for the world of work.
100% firms believes young people need better customer services skills.
100% firms believes young people need better telephone handle skills
95% firms believes young people need better team working skills
89% firms believes young people lack the necessary work experience
53% firms do not offer work experience
63% firms say the cost and time needed put them off employing young people
68% firms said the lack of information about what is involved, put them off offering work-experience

Nominations are now open for the Youth Enterprise & Employability Academy's first ever countywide YEA Youth Awards, in celebration of young people who have gone above and beyond in their contribution to their community.  

The annual award ceremony will be on November, 23 - 2019 at Worksop Town Hall thanks to the efforts of Julie Beresford, Bassetlaw District Council's Economic Development Manager. The event celebrates the achievement and contribution of young people aged 11 to 25 years.  

To submit a nomination, visit the Youth Enterprise & Employ-ability Academy website or email contact@youthenterprise.academy  

Sheila Place, County Councillor for Blyth and Harworth in Bassetlaw said, "I am delighted to support the "YEA" Youth Awards which celebrate the incredible energy, talent and compassion of our young people.  

"I would encourage everyone to come forward with their nominations, so they can be officially thanked and celebrate the great work that is going on all across the County."

Mansfield District Councillor Sinead Anderson says “I am delighted to support the YEA Youth Awards which celebrates the incredible energy, talent and compassion of our young people. 

Then adds "It is vital people come forward with their nominations so that we can officially thank and celebrate the great work that is going on in Mansfield and across the County” 

Kurtis-Jay Castle, Chief Executive Officer at Youth Enterprise & Employability Academy said “We are thankful to everyone who nominates and spreads the word of YEA Youth Awards and hope that you continue to help us promote the awards. 

"We are calling all teachers, parents and youth to nominate someone who goes above and beyond in their community, cares for someone, or volunteering to support a local organisation  

"We are very fortunate to have Worksop Town Hall venue for this year’s YEA Youth Awards. If you would like to sponsor the awards, specific award categories, food or even stage decorations, please contact us.

Categories include caring, community, Enterprise, Fundraising and youth award of the year. There will also be awards up for grabs for young people who have overcome adversity and for those who have excelled in voluntary work.  

Nomination/entry must be received by Monday October 28 - 2019 at 5pm and is open to any person who lives or is educated/works in Nottinghamshire to be nominated. 

Young people across Bassetlaw are getting ready to embark on world of work, grilled industry experts at Ambitions North Notts. Kurtis-Jay Castle, Co-host of the event and chief executive at Youth Enterprise Academy says

“The event was a massive success, it was exciting to see young people engage with real people about their journey through school and how it has helped them towards their deciding career path”

Now, the Youth Enterprise Academy is paying attention the to issues and concerns young people have in order to provide the best possible support. Our research and evaluations deliver insights into the dream, hopes and aspirations of young people, as well as the barriers they face to success.

This for us means we need to continuously carry out research in fact, In current ongoing research projects, we are already seeing trends, one of which was when we asked young people; If they believe academic qualifications is enough to secure the job they want, 82% said yes, 91% of the young people believe they was taught the relevant and necessary employment skills required in the workplace.

As part of the research project, we are involving employers too, when we asked employers if school leavers are unprepared for the world of work, 85% of them said yes.

Kurtis then adds; “Although Ambition North Notts was successful, more needs to be done in order to continue the development of our next-generation and the  future workforce of Bassetlaw. We need to create programs that are fun and engaging and it is important that we put pressure on the school across Bassetlaw to be more involved in local incentives.”

This post contains information on how to research types of work, as well as how to identify which skills you have and what kind of work you would be best suited to.

​Everyone makes mistakes, it’s part of life, some just make more than others…well, if you are a young person or a little older and have stumbled across this post, we are going to tell you a few of the most common mistakes made by entrepreneurs to help make sure that you don’t make the same mistakes.

Any entrepreneur must have clear goals for their business. As a young entrepreneur, you should not venture into a new business without thinking about its implications. You must be sure of what you want to achieve and how you will achieve it. The success of any business depends on the goals that the investor sets. Have a clear understanding of what you want your business to achieve before you even launch. You should have both short term and long term goals of your business on paper.

​Also, have your target market in mind, a comprehensive structure of your organization, and an executive summary of the duties and responsibilities of each member of staff. Make sure that you also inform your workers of these desired goals. They should direct their efforts towards the attainment of the overall organizational goals. Employees must have a clear understanding of what you intend to achieve and direct their efforts to make sure that you succeed.

​Another common mistake that is evident among most young entrepreneurs is that they are not willing to admit their faults. You can never correct a mistake unless you begin by admitting it. You will start to fail once you believe that your ideologies and strategies are the best and no one can question them. It is unprofessional to run away from your mistakes.

​The advantage of owning up mistakes is that you learn how to avoid them in the future. This will assist you in creating a healthy business that will be productive in the long term. A common mistake that most entrepreneurs make is not backing their data. Once you make such a mistake, you can be motivated to visit various companies and site builder among others to learn how you can enhance the security of your data.

According to the CEO of Orbita, "All businesses take time to break even and this calls for a lot of patience. Most young entrepreneurs fail because of lack of patience. You will find them shifting from one business to another because they believe it is taking too long to earn them profits. Impatience is one of the deadliest diseases that attack and kill great businesses."
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All young entrepreneurs must understand that businesses don’t grow overnight. It will take some time before your business can generate the income you expect. Some businesses may begin to shine after a few weeks or months while others need more than one year depending on the nature of the industry. You need to give your business sometime to stabilize.

Too many young entrepreneurs let fear guide their decisions when bringing a product or service to market. Never be afraid to test your product/service before you think it’s ready. The naysayers will tell you that it doesn’t work, and, those who love it and give you useful feedback will be far too busy to ever take your idea and put it into action anyway.
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Creating a company is hard work, and very few people are just going to take an idea that isn't even proven to make money yet. If you need to find a developer, file a patent and incorporate, sell your product to clients, and do all the other things that a startup needs to do to get going, then your copiers will too. Ideas are everywhere, but there's no such thing as a million-dollar idea, just million-dollar execution. And you need to get your product in the marketplace in order to gain traction and execute.

Firstly, when you say that you have ‘no money’ – be very very sure that you have gauged the situation accurately. Too often, people are reluctant to take any risks and self-validate it by thinking that they don’t have the money to do anything. This can only mean one thing…you probably don’t have confidence in your idea, and if this is the cast, then the chances are little that anyone else will put money where even you can’t.
Starting up is a risk on its own, you will have to embrace it, whether you like it or not.

Lots and lots of early own entrepreneurs have spent weeks, even months eating cheap food and living off friends/family’s sofa’s whilst working on their start up. You must learn to stretch the pound as much as possible...

Most of the aspiring entrepreneurs, once they have the idea in mind, can’t wait to hand in their notice in their current job position, and to start working on their idea full time, which leads extra day working In the current job a drag.
Don’t leave your job until either you start-up gains enough traction to generate sustainable revenue or it gains enough/ significant attention from people who could fund you. Yes, this could lead a slight delay in you achieving your ambition, but you are choosing a much smarter path (this will lead to a higher chance of success).

‘Time is money’, and in your case this is the truth, and nothing but. Any business requires money to become successful. Forget about hobbies, recreation and all other stuff for the time being, as you are having to put all you hard work and effort into your idea which can make having a social life and hobbies harder to maintain and keep up with.

Like I said earlier, the big wide world is a competition, and it is very high! People are working hard, and they’re working smart. Which helps them with this is that they have the resources and money power to speed up the entire process. To beat them you shall have to work more than they can/ want.

You will have to develop a thick skin, this is because the market is and will be brutal. Whatever you do, DO NOT get buried in credit card debt.

There is a smart way and a suicidal way to use credit when starting a business. New computers, office furniture, phones and supplies can quickly add up. Instead of purchasing everything at once and throwing it all on your credit card, use your company’s revenue to finance your expenses. By eliminating the stress and burden of debt, it will greatly increase the chances of creating a successful business.

One of the best ways to get started is to make something with what you already have in, these products can be sold for many times over their actual cost. What you make is up to you, but they are several places on where you can sell your handmade items online:

eBay is one of the biggest online ecommerce marketplaces In the world, and it is streamlined store options, easy checkout through paypal, and customisable listing options make it a great choice for selling items.
Etsy is one of the largest online markets for almost anything homemade, from jewellery to wooden toys for kids.

Bonanza is another growing handmade marketplace, similar to Etsy. According to PC World, It boasts over 10 million visits per month.

Abe’s Market deals in natural and organic goods, such as lotions, candles, granola and more.
Many business owners sell their products on multiple platforms to get the most exposure possible. It is important, however, to make sure your inventory stays updated on all sites you have a storefront on.
Secondly, try reselling something, if you don’t want to make anything (or if you don’t consider yourself a creative person), many business owners have grown large organisations/businesses just by reselling products that have already been made. This can be done through a variety of ways or channels:

Drop Shipping:
Set up an online store and partner with drop shipping companies that will do all the order fulfilment for you. Online ecommerce platform shopify has a great drop shipping guide.

Charity stops and Facebook selling pages (market place):
If you know where to look, you can find items which can be very cheap from charity shops or online via Facebook selling pages, and then resell them online or in your local community for more that you purchased them for.

Try and sell your services:
One way to start up a business with little to no start-up capital Is to sell your services, instead of a physical product. Some will require advanced degrees, such as accounting, while others require little more than a working knowledge of how it’s done (babysitting, lawn mowing).

Because you are selling your services, you will need a plan, a branding plan. Make sure that your name and company gets in front of the people who may need the service. Some places that are free for promoting your services include Fiverr, craigslist, etc.

A website showing off pieces of your work at this point will be brilliant! List your experience, and blog about your industry to draw visitors.

Being an entrepreneur is hard, but becoming one is even harder, as you have to try and find your customers for your services or to sell your products etc. Try and become competitive with your prices, so if you are wanting to set up a logo design business, look at other websites such as Vistaprint (this website is a great place to buy personalised items), and compare prices, making them affordable for the customer and making sure within the cost it covers everything which is essential to make these logos.

Come back next week for part 2 of ‘How to become an entrepreneur with no money’

Job hunting can be very stressful, especially if you have a family who push you to get a job so you can earn your own cash, or you could have friends who are going on shopping sprees, nights out or going on holiday, and you’re having to miss out because you don’t have the cash. Been there done that!

So we’ve come together to write some tips to help you get into the world of work… Before we start with the tips, try asking yourself, what am I good at? And what do I really enjoy doing? These sound really basic I know, but it will help you with your C.V.

Try and define your skills, before you create your C.V, this will help you think about, what are your core skills? (managing teams, being creative)? How have you utilised these skills and where? How can you transfer these skills (if it’s possible)? What skills can you bring to your future employer, which will add value to their business? 
As you’ve probably realised is that I haven’t put any references or comments to the industry specifics. The reason for this is that in any change of career, it is the core skills you need to focus on. These are and will be your true ‘value adds.’

The next step is to build a great C.V… they’re a lot of CV templates online which you can use for free. Just remember that a C.V is not an autobiography, make sure your C.V is relevant for the application you are applying for, and make sure you add your appropriate core skills to the role. NEVER add anything in a C.V that you are not prepared to demonstrate or elaborate on! Also stick to the facts! Not opinions.

Also make sure that you review your resume every couple of weeks, as skills and your personal profile can change. Remember to focus on the positives…this could be questions such as…What have been your major career accomplishments? What were the ultimate ‘outcomes’? and how did you achieve these accomplishments? 

Once you’ve completed your C.V you can now start looking for jobs (online or in store). When applying for job make sure you not only re-evaluate your approach, but also your situation, this is because looking for a job is a full-time job in itself. Make sure you dedicate a few hours a week to your job search, this will mean stepping up your efforts! Plus, if you are already employed and are reassessing your situation, take a few weeks off from looking around, you may then realise that things where you are already aren’t that bad after all.

Try applying for fewer jobs! (sounds crazy we know, but it’s true, I’ve also been there and bought the t-shirt.) One of the biggest mistakes that people job hunting make is firing off dozens of rushed applications in the hope it will boost their chances of being successful. Sending one brilliant application is far better than sending ten shoddy ones. It is a much smarter use of your time.

Out in the big wide world can be very competitive, especially in the job market, you need to make your application stand out so you can make it to the next stage of the recruitment process (interview). ALWAYS make sure you do your research on the company you have applied for.

We from Youth Enterprise Academy C.I.C hope that this has answered all of your queries about tips to job hunting. Come back next week for  "how to become entrepreneur  with little money" or why not take a look at last week post about "the most commonly asked  interview questions"

This is where you can find the necessary tips and links to help you gain the correct entrepreneurial and employment skills tailored to make sure that we naturally encourage and support you, in greatly understanding employment skills and too continuously develop your knowledge and understanding on how to write C.V's and how to make a brilliant first impression at a interview. This blog will also help you to get a greater understanding of what it takes to become a greater entrepreneur.