DHL Birmingham Empower Young Adults to Kickstart their Careers

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The DHL UK Foundation plays a crucial role in supporting ThinkForward through the GoTeach programme. DHL supports the charity by providing young people with insight days and work experience opportunities.

The most recent placement organised was at our Birmingham depot, it lasted three weeks and the site recently held a celebration lunch to congratulate Hamza, Hanad and Ben on their hard work, positivity and progress throughout their placement with DHL.

Shift Manager Mick Sarjant and Warehouse Supervisor Lamin Darboe were tasked with the important roles of mentors for Hamza, Hanad and Ben over the course of the placement. Reflecting on the past three weeks, Mick said: “It’s been a great experience, demanding and hard work at times, but to watch these three come on was just unreal. During the first week, they were quiet and didn’t say a lot, but by the second week it was like they’d been here for ages! They’ve all been great, I’ve really enjoyed the experience.”

Lamin said: “At the beginning, it was a bit of a challenge. We had to make sure they were looked after, tell them what they needed to do, get them involved with other colleagues and give them confidence in what they were doing. But, as they settled in, they got more confidence. We always made sure they were comfortable and let them know that if there was anything they needed to share with us, they could do that.”

When asked if the hard work was worth it, Mick enthusiastically responded: “Oh yeah, I’d love to do it again. This experience was absolutely brilliant. I’d recommend it to other colleagues. It’s taught me to never underestimate someone or the disabilities they’ve got. I’ve learnt how to understand people more, especially working with these young adults and hearing their feedback. We now all get on so well. And when Hamza came in on Halloween dressed up, it brought a tear to my eye, I just wasn’t expecting it. It’s great to see how comfortable he is now.”

Ben, one of the young adults that completed the placement, shared his experience: “I’ve had fun meeting new people and enjoyed doing the work in the trailers, scanning and putting the boxes on the conveyers. I’ve grown in confidence, I was nervous to start with, but I’m a bit more confident now. I’ve had loads of fun with people here, joking and making friends. I was really supported by everyone on the floor, they helped tell me what I needed to do.” Since completing the placement and after his dedication to the role, Ben has now secured a position as a Warehouse Operative with an agency. Ben has been a testament in showing what can be achieved through the Making Strides programme.

Claire, a Progression Coach at ThinkForward, highlighted the impact of DHL’s involvement with the programme: “The impact is huge, more than anyone realises. When you’re in paid employment, you don’t actually see how hard it is to get your foot in the door, there are some difficult initial barriers, which is why this opportunity is so key, because it takes out those difficult initial steps. It’s an uphill battle a lot of the time because you’re trying to get employers to see how fantastic these young people are. But, hearing Mick and Lamin say how great the experience has been, just makes the job worthwhile. It’s something we massively celebrate, and it encourages other young people and shows that it can be done.”

Hamza, another participant, expressed his gratitude for the programme: “I’m going to be 100% honest, I’ve enjoyed the last three weeks very much. When I did the longer shifts, that was a big change, but I got used to it. My confidence has improved, and I’ve enjoyed working with other people a lot, they’ve made me feel welcome.”

The Making Strides programme is more than just a work placement; it’s a transformative experience that empowers young people, fosters inclusivity, and builds a supportive community. Through initiatives like this, ThinkForward and DHL are not only helping young people prepare for the world of work but also creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace for the future. This partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration in driving positive change and making a lasting difference in the lives of young people.