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home : Youth Development Services : Employment & Education |
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Employment & Education
The purpose of our Employment & Education (E&E) programme is to get young people on to the first rung of the employment ladder or back into education, by equipping them with the basic skills they lack, whether it be in literacy, numeracy or other basic skills, or simply the ability to find and successfully apply for a job suited for their abilities. The programme has two parts: Pre-work and Getting to Work. The emphasis throughout is on tailoring the training to the needs of the individual, guiding and mentoring them to success. As part of the programme, in 2009 clients set up a mini enterprise called Daylight Designs. See what our local press had to say about E&E (or Entry to Employment as it was previously known). The Employment & Education programme is funded through The Ann Rylands Special Project, part of The Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust. Pre-work Most young people will be encouraged to undertake a period of work experience with a local employer, where they gain an insight into the world of work, including the personal discipline and responsibilities involved in being part of an organisation. At the end of the module, the length of which depends on the progress of the individual, each individual reviews their job and training options with their mentor, and is strongly encouraged to set a realistic personal goal for the next stage. We are very grateful to all our friends in local organisations who are willing to offer work experience to our clients. If you or your company could help, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact Rebecca Rudge, the Employment & Education Project Worker, on 01252 332514.
Following this, the participants begin the process of applying for jobs, meeting weekly during the evening with their mentor to discuss their progress, the suitability of their applications and how they might improve. Once a job has been obtained, the mentoring continues throughout the early stages of employment, to identify any problems and help to find strategies to overcome them. This continues for a couple of months, until the client is happy that they are secure in their job and able to sustain their performance. At this point, they may want to take advantage of our Tenancy Support Service. Daylight Designs A major benefit of the enterprise is that it encourages the young people involved to improve their numeracy and literacy skills while gaining useful commercial experience such as formulating business plans, stock control and ordering raw materials. In addition, meeting people at the craft events provides a valuable opportunity for clients to enhance their self-confidence as they describe to potential customers how Step By Step operates and ways in which people can support the charity. We are grateful for the support of Business Links' Outreach Worker, Claire Cutler-Casey, and by volunteers from local businesses. Read the news release about Daylight Designs' successful first year. To arrange for Daylight Designs to attend your craft fair or workplace, email Becky Rudge or phone her on 01252 332514 - she will be delighted to hear from you.
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© 2009 Step by Step Partnership Ltd : Reg. Charity No. 900308 : Company No. 2431825 |
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For many homeless and disadvantaged young people, getting a job or a place in further education seems an almost futile task; many feel they lack the qualifications, experience, social skills and self-confidence needed to compete in today's job market. This, in turn, can lead to alienation from conventional society, and a dependency on handouts and benefits.
This mini enterprise, set up by clients accessing the E&E programme in 2009, designs and manufactures a variety of craft items, including jewellery, bookmarks, Ecobags, greetings cards and T-shirts which are sold at craft fairs and other events. Profits from sales are ploughed back into Step by Step’s Youth Development Service, of which Daylight Designs is a part.