ST DAVID’S Cardiff has announced a new partnership with youth employment charity Spear to support young people into employment.
The Landsec-owned city shopping destination and Spear will provide practical coaching, long-term support and job opportunities to help young people begin their careers.
Designed for 16 to 24-year-olds, the Spear Programme supports young people facing barriers to entering employment, such as having few or no GCSEs, experiencing mental health challenges, or having grown up in care.
The programme begins with four-to-six weeks of community-based coaching to help trainees identify their strengths and develop practical skills, followed by up to 12 months of further support as they secure and begin employment.
The St David’s team will also volunteer their time to deliver hands-on workshops including mock interviews, CV development, workplace visits, career panels, and Q&A sessions. The centre will also work with its brands and service partners to identify employment opportunities and support trainees as they move into new roles.
Helen Morgan, Centre Director of St David’s Cardiff, commented: “St David’s is more than a place to shop, it’s part of the fabric of Cardiff, and we want to make a positive difference in the communities we serve.
“Partnering with Spear allows us to invest in practical training, long-term support and employment opportunities to create brighter futures for the next generation while strengthening the community we’re proud to be part of.”
Spear is independently recognised as one of the UK’s most effective youth employment programmes, with more than 70% of those completing the programme still in their new job or course of study a year later.
Iona Ledwidge, CEO of Spear, said: “Young people have so much potential and ambition but many face barriers to employment in a particularly tough job market, with so many neither earning nor learning.
“The need for Spear is urgent, and we’re so grateful for our partnerships with forward-thinking companies like Landsec.
“This partnership will enable us to empower many more young people through the Spear Programme so they can unleash their potential, step confidently into work, and thrive.”
For more information about the city shopping destination and its retailers, visit St David’s Cardiff’s website.
