Bethany gets position at children’s charity with the help of employability programme

Graduate Bethany Turner has talked about securing a position, after taking part in an employability programme.She joined The Open University in Wales’ GROW programme to gain some experience to add to the qualification she already had.

After finishing her degree in Psychology, Bethany struggled to find work as she didn't have a particular path in mind.

'I qualified with a first-class BSc (Honours) in psychology, but I found it difficult to decide what to do, as I didn't want to go down the traditional career path in Psychology,’ said Bethany ‘So, I started volunteering to support my local community as we emerged from the height of the pandemic. Alongside this, I was looking for work related to this experience and my previous work experience.'

Deciding on the next steps

The GROW employability advisor Julie met Bethany to help her decide her next steps. The programme matched her to a paid role with Children in Wales, the national umbrella body for organisations and people who work with children, young people, and their families. She worked with partners and young people to translate the Children and Young People's National Participation Standards (NPS) poster into an accessible document for deaf children and young people.

I'm really grateful for the GROW programme and all it has given me!

'This work experience placement provided me with a whole range of new experiences and has given me a way into the world of work that I would not have found otherwise, as well as a supportive employability advisor,’ she adds.

At the end of her placement, Children in Wales kept Bethany on. She is now an engagement worker and has been at the organisation for several months. She is delighted with the chance she’s been given, and is enjoying working as part of the team.

'I have worked on a real range of projects at Children in Wales, and I am now moving into having more responsibility by leading on longer-term projects with young people,’ says Bethany. ‘I am also continuing to support my colleagues with bigger projects, like taking a group of young people to the United Nations in Geneva, so they could have their say on the state of Children's Rights in Wales.'

As well as arranging her placement, the programme gave Bethany more employability support.

'During my placement, my advisor also supported me with my job search, looking over applications and advising on strategies for interviews’ she explains.

A perfect match to the organisation

Following Bethany's success during her placement at Children in Wales, another GROW graduate has been matched to join the charity as part of their policy team.

‘Bethany was perfectly matched to our organisational needs through her GROW placement advisor,’ said Paula Timms, business development and delivery director at Children in Wales. ‘We are delighted that Bethany had the opportunity to try out a real work scenario with the security of a paid placement scheme in the Children's Rights work field in Wales.

‘Children in Wales seeks to be an accessible employer, promoting opportunities for young people to become engaged in the Children's Sector, so the GROW scheme is a wonderful way to ensure Young People have that opportunity especially entering their first-time employment. Bethany has brought fresh skills and insights to the team and is a really valuable Young Volunteer Engagement Worker, and we have high hopes for her future career with us.’