Members of St Edmundsbury’s Youth Forum have been given a unique glimpse into the world of recruitment after grilling the council’s new youth worker during his job interview.
Two members of the forum helped select Simon Pickering, 23, from a shortlist of candidates. The unusual decision was taken to involve forum members in the recruitment process to give them experience of interviews and help prepare them for applying for job themselves later in life. Those making the final decision were also keen to see how well the candidates related to the young people as they will be working closely with them throughout their career at St Edmundsbury.
Simon, who lives in the borough, worked at the YMCA in Cambridge before joining the council as Youth and Community Development Officer at the beginning of May.
He said:
“It was good to see that young people were involved in the interview process and that their opinions were positively valued.”
Holly Kavanagh, a sixth form student at King Edward VI School in Bury St Edmunds, is one of the St Edmundsbury Youth Forum members who interviewed Simon. She said:
“Taking part in the interviews at the Borough Offices made the youth forum become more involved and, on a personal level, helped me develop some important life skills.”
ENDS
ISSUED BY LIZ HEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
