Louis Kaczalski, 22, from Blackburn is celebrating after taking up a new position with housing company Calico as part of the Government’s Backing Young Britain campaign. 
He is one of the first young people to be given a job by the Lancashire based company who are hoping to recruit 51 new young members of staff as part of the Government’s campaign to get 18-24 year olds back into work.
Louis, who qualified as a gas fitter earlier this year, was told about the Gas Labourer vacancy at Calico by his local Jobcentre Plus advisor. He said:
"I qualified in July this year, and haven’t found anything since. I’d been working for a friend to help me get through my gas fitter course. I’d been fascinated by the gas trade and when this ideal opportunity came up I knew I could benefit.
"It’s really hands-on experience and I’m learning everything I can."
Adele Livesey, Calico’s Head of Investment, said she is really impressed with Louis already:
"We’re really pleased to have successfully recruited Louis through the Future Jobs Fund which is part of the Government’s Backing Young Britain campaign. I hope he will feel welcome and that the experience he gains here will help him in the future.
"He’s definitely being put through his paces - it was a rigorous selection process and it’s obvious that he is raring to go."
Phil Woolas, North West Regional Minister said:
"I’m really pleased for Louis - it’s a fantastic opportunity for him. This Government is determined that all young people get the help and support they need to get into work, which is why we have invested £1bn to create local jobs for young people.
"Through the Backing Young Britain campaign, we are bringing together employers across the country to give young people like Louis the guarantee of work or training if they are unemployed for a year."
The funding was awarded to Calico through Groundwork and The National Housing Federation’s successful joint bid to create 2,000 jobs nationally through the Future Jobs Fund which is part of the Backing Young Britain campaign. The jobs which include energy efficiency advisors, neighbourhood caretakers, land management workers and recycling workers will be spread across a network of 90 organisations.
To find out more about the Government’s Backing Young Britain campaign visit http://interactive.bis.gov.uk/backingyoungbritain/
Notes to Editors
1. The ‘Backing Young Britain’ campaign unites business and government to create thousands of opportunities for young people. We are asking organisations to support the campaign by committing to one or more of the following:
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Offer volunteer places or become a volunteer mentor for school or university leavers;
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Provide work experience opportunities;
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Offer internships to graduates, 18 year olds and non-graduates;
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Consider a young person for a job through a work trial;
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Supply apprenticeship opportunities for 16-24 year olds;
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Bid for one of the 100,000 jobs for young people from the Future Jobs Fund;
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Engage in a Local Employment Partnership.
2. The Future Jobs Fund is part of the Government’s Backing Young Britain campaign and will provide funding for 150,000 jobs across the UK –100,000 for young people and 50,000 for unemployment hotspots. Organisations can visit www.dwp.gov.uk/campaigns/futurejobsfund to express interest in bidding for jobs.
3. Calico Housing Ltd own and manage homes in Pennine Lancashire and aim to make a difference to the quality of life of individuals and the wider communities in which it works. Calico Housing Ltd is hoping to create 51 new positions for young people with finance obtained through a national Future Jobs Fund bid in association with Groundwork. Find out more about Calico Housing Ltd at www.calico.org.uk.
4. Groundwork is a group of charities helping people and organisations make changes in order to create better neighbourhoods, to build skills and job prospects and to live and work in a greener way. Groundwork operates across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and work on thousands of individual projects each year. Find out more at www.groundwork.org.uk
5. The National Housing Federation is the trade body for 1200 housing associations in England. Find out more at www.housing.org.uk
