ENROLMENT for the next cohort of Kickstart recruits is underway at a leading Rhyl-based tourism group.
2021 marked the beginning of a coalition between Lyons Holiday Parks, Wales’ largest holiday park operator, and the Department for Work and Pensions under the Kickstart Scheme.
The initiative, which aims to provide careers and on-the-job training to those aged younger than 24 who would otherwise be on Universal Credit, has been deemed a “huge boost” to the area by Mims Davies MP, minister for employment.
She said: “I want as many employers as possible to follow in the footsteps of Lyons Holiday Parks and join the Kickstart scheme to take on energised, talented young people.”
More than 6,000 placements have been offered in Wales so far, with the family-run Lyons group taking on 30 staff through the scheme as sites re-opened last year, as well as the influx of trainee tradesmen taken on at the newly acquired Dyserth Falls resort where work is well underway.
Lorraine Smith, HR manager for Lyons Holiday Parks, said: “One of our biggest accomplishments in 2021 was on-boarding dozens of individuals under the Kickstart scheme, and we’re proud to have offered full-time, permanent positions to 16 recruits at the end of the programme from construction to electricals, hospitality, catering, and grounds and gardens.
“Those who we were unable to retain we offered help with interview preparation, CV training, obtained their basic qualifications such as health and safety, and that in itself was great as it felt we were doing our part for the youth of today.”
A handful of recruits at Dyserth Falls (formerly known as Graig Parc) revealed how their placements have helped alleviate fears surrounding the risk of long-term unemployment.
Caitlin Goddard, 20, said she’s “found a job for life” after starting the Kickstart scheme as a trainee joiner.
Caitlin has now gained the confidence and knowledge to pursue her dreams of becoming a multi-skilled assistant across all aspects of the building industry.
She said: “I’m so glad I’m working on a hands-on project and that Lorraine from HR spotted the talent and drive in me.
“I’ve learnt so much, and the team here are just awesome. I really feel like I’m doing something important and I can’t wait to look back in 10 years and say I helped build Dyserth Falls when I was new to the industry.”
Ben Copeland, 19, said: "I was cleaning windows in the local area and my mate rang me and told me about the scheme.
“It sounded like a decent opportunity, and I knew it would be on a higher salary than what I was on.
"Construction is something I hadn’t done before so I thought I’d give it a go. I’ve learnt a lot so far to be fair - skills, trades, how to work on a team. It's great."
Callum Rawley, 23, visited Rhyl Job Centre after being made redundant from his role as a delivery driver and asked for help.
Just six months later, he's a trainee groundsman as part of the Lyons empire and has recently celebrated becoming a full-time, permanent team member within the group.
He said: “I applied for ten roles and this is the only one that got back to me. I thought it was going to be a lot harder than it was, in terms of the actual labouring job.
“I’ve learnt everything I’ve wanted to on this scheme – it’s given me skills and confidence, and I’ve learnt so much from the start.
“Everybody is great to work with and the manager supports me every day if I need anything which is exactly what people in my age group need.”
Curtis Hawksworth, 22, who had previous experience with an independent building company in Rhyl, added: "I can see myself staying here and continuing to learn and develop my skills. The best thing about working here is the people.
“My colleagues and the management team are brilliant and always help."
Connor Doherty, 22, from Rhyl, said: “The advice I’d give to someone thinking of joining the Kickstart scheme is to be prepared.
“I thought 'maintenance' would be fixing stuff, as it’s a caravan park, but I've been pleasantly surprised at the construction work I've been doing. It's really fun and diverse.
“I like to think I’ll be here for a while."
Kieran Jones, 22, from Rhyl, said: “I had previous experience in construction doing basic labouring duties and groundwork, which I was then able to transfer to this role.
“I heard about the Kickstart through Universal Credit, applied for two positions, and was less interested in the other one so chose this one because it was more hands-on.
“I’m learning everything I wanted to, and it’s my goal to work here as part of the maintenance team full-time.
“The best thing about working here is the people – we have a laugh and get the job done. I’d tell anyone thinking of it to just go for it as you get a lot of experience from it. I’d recommend it, 100 per cent.”
Find out more at www.lyonsholidayparks.co.uk/jobs-careers or by visiting: www.gov.uk/government/collections/kickstart-scheme.
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