Jack Rodwell advises unemployed man about getting job

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Page last updated at 11:37 GMT, Friday, 29 June 2012 12:37 UK

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By Natalie Ostroff
Newsbeat reporter

Meshack Wright, 21, has been looking for a job for a year

Everton footballer Jack Rodwell has spent the day with a newly-qualified electrical engineer who can't get a job.

The 21-year-old Premier League star has been working with a youth unemployment charity to try to find work for Meshack Wright.

Jack Rodwell is appearing on Radio 1's Surgery this Sunday (1 July) to tell Meshack's story and explain how he got involved with FutureYou.

The latest unemployment figures show that the number of 16 to 24-year-olds looking for work fell by 29,000 in May.

However, there are still more than one million 16 to 24-year-olds out of work.

Meshack Wright, 21, has been struggling to get a job for a year.

After leaving school at 16 he spent two years training to gain a level two qualification in electrical engineering.

"It is very frustrating because I have got a couple of qualifications and there is nothing I can do with them," he said.

'Tight budget'

Meshack has also found it difficult to get work without any previous industry experience.

"It is a vicious circle," he said. "My qualifications don't mean anything without experience."

Jack Rodwell waits with Meshack Wright outside a job centre

During his day with the charity, Jack Rodwell went with Meshack to the job centre where he signed on. He also asked him how he managed to pay for food and rent.

Meshack said the money he received from benefits didn't go very far.

"Half of it goes on rent so I'm on a tight budget," he said. "I don't get to enjoy myself."

Jack Rodwell says he decided to get involved with youth unemployment charity, FutureYou, because he had friends of a similar age who had problems getting work.

FutureYou tries to help 14 to 25-year-olds to get a job, training course or find a place at college.

"Lots of friends who have just come out of college and uni expect to get a job straight away," said Jack Rodwell.

"That's not the case. I know it's frustrating first hand from my friends."

He says he wants to help Meshack to get a stable job.

"My advice to Meshack is to keep having goals and aim high to achieve them. Be patient and keep motivated.

Jack Rodwell will be on The Surgery on Radio 1 this Sunday (1 July) at 9pm with Aled