FAST food giant KFC has teamed up with a youth charity to help get youngsters their first job in Warrington.

The programme - appropriately named 'Hatch' - is being driven as a joint venture between KFC and UK Youth.

It is aimed at helping those aged 16-24 get onto the employment ladder by bagging their first job, particularly in Warrington.

Warrington Guardian: The 'Hatch' programme will see youngsters improve their employability and their confidenceThe 'Hatch' programme will see youngsters improve their employability and their confidence (Image: KFC)

Latchford's branch of KFC is taking part in the scheme, which the fast food brand hopes will encourage youngsters to apply who may otherwise have faced barriers to employment.

The ‘Hatch’ programme aims to help 16-24-year-olds to build their work skills, their confidence and land their first job, as new research reveals the cost of living has significantly worsened work and training opportunities for young people in the area.

Working with UK Youth to identify young people most in need, the ‘Hatch’ programme will offer participants one-to-one training, support, and practical work experience, with an interview at KFC upon completing the scheme.

Meg Farren, general manager, KFC UK & Ireland, said: “Young people today are facing greater challenges than ever before.

"The pandemic took away crucial skills and career development opportunities – now, they’re faced with a cost-of-living crisis and an uncertain economy, making it that much harder to land their first job. 

“As one of the biggest youth employers in the country, we see first-hand how difficult it is for young people to build the skills and experience they need to enter the world of work in today’s economic climate.

"This is further exacerbated for those who have faced issues such as being excluded from education or formal training opportunities."

Warrington Guardian: The scheme includes paid experience opportunities, tooThe scheme includes paid experience opportunities, too (Image: KFC)

As per UK Youth, anyone interested in the scheme should reach out to the 'Hatch' delivery hubs, with the nearest one being Wigan Youth Zone.

Individuals will then be given further information about the scheme, which includes paid work experience opportunities.