The Albion Foundation’s HATCH Project in coordination with KFC and UK Youth gives young adults across the region an opportunity to break into the world of employment.
Leah and Ollie, two HATCH candidates have now achieved part-time contracts at KFC’s Quinton and Halesowen branches, respectively.
In this Q&A, the pair discuss their experiences working in a bustling restaurant environment, the help of HATCH Project Coordinator, Tom Lane, and the delight for achieving those all-important part-time jobs.
Over to you, Leah and Ollie…
Tell me about when you first heard of the HATCH Project?
Leah: “I think I first heard about it from Job Centre, I was told that they could help with getting into the job as well as preparing for it. I was really happy when I heard about it, not only to have the help to prepare, but to actually put me in there was great. I was really struggling to find work, the HATCH Project helped a lot with interview preparation, I was struggling with that the most.”
Ollie: “I first heard about it through Black Country Connections, that’s the first time I’d heard of it. I was looking for a way to get a job or get some education. I’d been kicked out of college, I didn’t do well at school, I didn’t have any GCSEs. I’d tried going for different job interviews and nobody would hire me.”
What were you looking for with the HATCH Project?
Leah: “Mostly I was just looking for a job and when I understood it would help with that. It would give me a chance to prove myself in the job as well as an interview – I really wanted it.”
Ollie: “I was looking for a chance if anything, the chance to be able to get a job. Getting three- or four-weeks experience, that’s a lot in itself. Then going into the programme with the intention of getting a job at the end of it.”
What has working at KFC been like?
Leah: “It’s been great, it’s helped me a lot. I clean around the lobby, I take part of front of house activities, packaging orders and helping customers. If I’m on a closing shift I’m helping packing delivery orders, and cleaning the store. “
Ollie: “It’s been really fun. The people I work with are amazing, the management are encouraging and great people. They have a laugh, but also make sure we all take the job seriously. It’s a really nice work experience.”
How have you found the workshops outside of the job?
Leah: “They’ve been really useful, especially the training ones, they got me used to hearing the questions in the interview. It helped me to not panic in an interview. I’m going to take with me the knowledge of my strengths and being a bit more confident in interviews and things like that.”
Ollie: “It’s been really fun. It’s been a nice experience, going into West Bromwich Albion’s stadium, going these lessons and teaching us how to do things. Taking it into actual real world experience, it’s been great. Doing things like your CV is a big part, you’re going to need it at any job, so having those lessons and getting those tips have really helped me out.”
For you as a person, how has the HATCH Project helped you?
Leah: “It’s helped me feel more confident, I don’t feel scared of doing certain things. I’m not that good at talking sometimes, so that’s definitely helped with that.”
Ollie: “My confidence has been a lot better. Now coming into a job where I’m always talking to new people, and people I know as well. I’m happy to experience socialising with others. The interview process was great, I went into it with a positive mindset.”
They've enjoyed it, but what about the bosses, how have they found working with our HATCH candidates?
Julie at KFC Quinton: “Leah’s been fantastic, she’s friendly and she’s picked everything up really quickly, she’s been brilliant. She’s been really good, a great example of the HATCH Project, she’s been great at picking things up and one of the better candidates.”
Aaron at KFC Halesowen: “He’s smashed it completely. That’s not just from me, that’s the wider management team, the employees he’s worked with think he’s great. It was all from himself, he had the determination and passion to do a good job. Ollie really surprised all of us, he really put the work in and he’s a great example of the HATCH Project.
Are you a young person who wants support in finding employment? To find out more about future cohorts of the Hatch Employability Programme, please contact tom.lane@albionfoundation.co.uk for more details.