A charity that acts as a bridge between school and the world of work is looking for 100 new volunteers.

Caitlin Hume is one such new volunteer.

A former Queen Elizabeth II High School student, 21-year-old Caitlin, is a recruitment co-ordinator with Paragon Recruitment and, in 2015, was a member of the winning team in Junior Achievement’s company of the year challenge, which tasks students to set up and run their own business then take their product or service to market.

The experience not only brought Caitlin into contact with JA volunteer mentors but also led her to be better prepared for job seeking.

She said: ’I was inspired to volunteer for Junior Achievement as I’d benefited first-hand from the support of volunteers, which helps to build your self-confidence and develop the skills you’ll need when you start work.

’Taking part in the company programme gave me my first insight into the business world and the role of volunteers.

’I discovered how volunteers not only prepare you for dealing with business professionals which, without that support, could have been an intimidating experience, but they also help to make you more employable.

’Volunteers brought me into contact with "the real world of work" and as a result I felt more confident when I went for my interview at Paragon.’

Paragon director Debbie Scrimshaw said: ’When interviewed Caitlin showed a confidence and good understanding of the demands of modern-day business, which clearly had been developed through her taking part in the company programme. The skills she learned in that process are now serving her extremely well as a valued member of our team.’

Caitlin added: ’I found the volunteer support really valuable and it’s been great for my personal development, so I want to give something back and share my experience because I know just how inspiring a volunteer can be to young people starting out in their careers.’

JA welcomes volunteer applications from people of all ages, in employment or retired, from all business backgrounds.

To find out more, contact volunteer and events co-ordinator Jo Pack on 666266, [email protected]

Each academic year educational charity Junior Achievement runs classroom-based programmes to help more than 5,500 students in the Isle of Man.

Find out more at jaiom.im