Employment & Education Service

	Employment & Education

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Education & Employment

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.

The purpose of our Employment and Education programme (E&E) is to focus on developing and addressing all the issues a young person may face when seeking to gain employment or education. This is achieved through different sessions within Step by Step's programme which include: Job Shop, 1-2-1 coaching sessions, and Business Development & Craft, a Craft and Business Skills Development project run by young people.

The aim is that to equip our young people with the skills they need to move on and succeed in education, training and employment.

Job Shop
During our Job Shop sessions we focus on motivating our young people and developing their self esteem. We look at CV writing, interview techniques, presentation skills and developing other 'soft' skills to give them a rounded support network so they have the confidence to approach education establishments or enquire about job vacancies.

The session is supported by a Connexions worker who also helps the young people search and apply for vacancies via newspapers, websites and local stores.

1-2-1 support
Group work is essential for developing communication and social skills; however we recognise the importance of having a one-to-one meeting with each young person where we are able to focus on their exact needs. Here we are able to give personal guidance and help the young person to plan their next steps, which includes helping them become involved in work experience placements and taking part in voluntary work opportunities.

Sample of Daylight Designs jewellery products Business Development & Craft
This project, 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 Training services.

A major benefit of the project is that it encourages the young people involved to improve their numeracy and literacy skills, supported by our maths and literacy tutor, 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 also grateful for the support of volunteers from local businesses.

Read the news release about Daylight Designs' (as it was previously known) successful first year.

To arrange for our Craft Team to attend your craft fair or workplace, email Charlotte Burley or phone her on 01252 346116 - she will be delighted to hear from you.

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 Charlotte Burley, the Employment & Education Project Worker, via email or call 01252 346116.

This project is supported through a collaboration between The Michael Varah Memorial Fund and The Schutz Engel Trust.