Kate’s Kickstart speech

Name: Kate

Kickstart with: Devon County Council Economy, Enterprise and Skills

Kate’s speech:

Hi all, my name is Kate, and this is my first public speaking event. I came about this Kickstart trainee position via a meet and greet here, in the Youth Hub Centre last year.

Before I started, I never really thought about the difference 6 months could make.

Working with Keir for the past 5 months as a project assistant has been most rewarding, learning many new skills, growing confidence & finding out about Devon County Council. I’ve learnt so much about Funding, the economy, different government departments, and about Devon as a whole.

• My first ever teams meeting I was a stuttering mess. Now I’ve chaired a meeting confidently.
• I’ve made 91 Grantfinder Articles in 5 months for the Devon Funding News Website
• and I’ve organised this event with the help of Keir, Debbie & Anne.

I feel I’m proud and have achieved so much more than I thought I would.

Keir has been a fantastic manager, helping me grow confidence on teams meetings, and helping me with my employment skills for my future. I am so grateful for the help of the Economy team and how much the colleagues have supported me.

6 of the Kickstarters, here with us today, were lucky enough to take part in a 10-week course, teaching us research & presenting skills, learning about Devon County Council, communication skills were built, and areas of interview skills were visited to help us for our future. Our tutor Gary taught us a lot and we are all thankful!

I have received a guaranteed job at the end of my placement as a Highways Service Assistant. All thanks to this placement with Kickstart, I’m so glad I chose to work with Devon County Council, as I can see my career path growing within this company.

I really can’t believe how much difference 6 months can make.