KFC offering youth work experience

The UK's largest children's charity has joined forces with a leading restaurant chain to offer work experience to help socially disadvantaged young people find jobs.

Barnardo's said its partnership with KFC would help youngsters the charity deals with get their foot on the employment ladder.

Young people will be offered an interview for a work placement in their local KFC restaurant, which can last from one day to four weeks, and a work review.

Barnardo's chief executive Anne Marie Carrie said: "Now is a tough time for any young person to start out in the world of work but those who are vulnerable are in danger of being shunned by the workplace.

"The Government has made some headway to tackling the issue of youth unemployment but private and voluntary sector partnerships have a vital role to play in equipping all young people with confidence and skills on their journey towards work."

KFC UK & Ireland managing director Martin Shuker said: "By getting Barnardo's youngsters into our restaurants, we are not only transforming their lives by giving them vital work experience skills but we are motivating our own staff and gaining fresh perspectives on our work.

"We want to encourage employers everywhere to be braver and to give vulnerable young people a fighting chance at getting their foot on the employment ladder."