The summer holidays are coming and we know that it can be all too tempting to wait until September to take your next steps. Whether you’re an education leaver, taking some time to deal with a challenging situation, or the past 18-months has simply taken its toll, there are so many opportunities available right now that can help you move forward.
Our Youth Hub Coordinator, Jo says: “If you’re aged 16 to 19 it's not too late to secure a place at college or Sixth Form for September, but remember, whether you're a school leaver or a bit older, you have options. Whilst the schools close for summer, there are lots of alternative options available that can help you work on your skills to get a job, or the training you need to land your dream career if you aren’t currently enrolled with a training provider or employed.
“Whether you want to work on building up your confidence, developing your interview skills, or simply exploring what’s available for you, there are so many options – and Kickstarts and Apprenticeships are available all year round as businesses don’t take a summer break.
“To make things easy to navigate, I’ve picked ten of our Skills Launchpad partners to showcase, along with two national schemes, to help you move forward with your journey NOW, rather than waiting for September. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, simply get in touch by emailing skillslaunchpad@plymouth.gov.uk, or click here to sign up as a member.
1. Devon Mind
Do you like social media? Are you interested in developing your digital skills? If so, Devon Mind’s Speed You Up Digital Hub programme could be a great addition to your CV. Experience what it’s like to be a social media consultant, working as a team to advise real employers to improve their social content.
Who? 16-24 year-olds
When? 14 July – 4 August (Wednesdays only)
2. Prince’s Trust
Get Into IT
If you’d like to gain Google accredited IT customer support qualifications from the comfort of your own home, look no further. This virtual course will see you fully supported and fully certified before December. What a great skill and qualification to learn!
Who? 18-24 year-olds
When? Various July start dates available
Get Started in Photography
If you’re interested in the arts and is photography your thing, this free virtual course could be a great fit. You’ll meet new people, boost your confidence and learn new photography techniques and skills. Work towards building a photography portfolio and online zine, , hear from guest photographers and explore careers and educational pathways.
Who? 16-25 year-olds
When? 26 – 30 July (Monday to Friday)
3. LiveWest
If you’re looking to explore your natural skills and talents, and want to look at transferable skills and build your self-confidence, LiveWest is offering two courses that can help.
Find Your North Star and Navigate My Way are flexible courses that are delivered virtually on a 1:1 basis, to help you to plan your next steps. For support to help decide on an area of work that is right for you, this is a great opportunity.
Who? 19-24 year-olds
When? Various July start dates available
4. Real Ideas Organisation
The Real Ideas Intensives are six-week intense skills programmes which are designed to progress the interests of young people that are interested in the Food, Creative and Digital sectors.
With industry insights and challenge-based learning, young people will be equipped with the essential skills they need to launch themselves into working in their chosen vocation.
All courses are focused on an enterprise challenge where they pitch the idea to industry professionals at the end of the six weeks programme. There is a strong focus on skills development and through the enterprise challenge, young people work as a team to understand all aspects of how a business can operate: this will give you transferable skills to move into any job.
Who? Anyone aged 18-25 years-old and in receipt of universal credit
When? 26 July – 3 September (two days a week)
5. Argyle Community Trust
Did you know you can sign up for a two-week National Citizenship Service course with Argyle? It’s a great way to meet new people, try new things and cover new ground. Who knows where it could lead you?!
For £50, activities include surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, kayaking and many more. You’ll also have the chance to gain life skills like cooking, volunteering and community mapping – it’s a great addition to your CV.
Who? 16-17 year-olds
When? 19 July – 30 July (Monday to Friday)
6. Groundworks South
Empowering Enterprise
Looking for support with health and wellbeing, your finances, and budgeting? This fantastic programme offers one to one mentoring, careers advice, support with CV building and job searching and access to volunteering and social action projects.
This programme is the perfect chance to build your confidence, access training and education, and prepare for an Apprenticeship or getting a job.
Who? 18-24 year-olds who aren’t in employment or training
When? Various July start dates available
NCS (two and three-week programmes)
You can also access the National Citizenship Service course with Groundworks South who offer a two and three-week programme.
The two-week programme:
Based at the YMCA Plymouth, this course will teach you key life skills, how to write a CV, finance budgeting, working as a team or working independently, as well as understanding your weak points so you can design the programme to tackle those points head on! The YMCA is also where you will plan your Social Action Project.
The three-week programme:
This slightly longer programme is very similar to the two-week programme, but in the extra week you spend five days away from home at the Ultimate Adventure Centre, Bideford, learning how to surf, coasteer, climb and trying out the Ultimate Adventure Centre's infamous Total Wipeout course, which is complete with the Big Red Balls!
Who? Anyone aged 16-17
When? The two-week course runs 26 July – 5 August; the three-week course runs 9 – 27 August
7. Acacia Training
Whether you are interested in an online course or something face-to-face, Acacia Training has FREE courses starting throughout July. Topics range from CV writing, interview skills and confidence-building; to health and safety, basic internet, basic e-mail, food hygiene, and customer service courses.
Who? 19-24 year-olds in receipt of benefits
When? Various July start dates available
8. National Careers Service
Whether you’re applying for Kickstart opportunities, Apprenticeships, or full/part-time employment, there are some key things you need in your arsenal. To help you out, the National Careers Service has a range of great online resources to help prepare you including online courses to develop specific skills (maths, digital, business, leadership, customer service), how to write a great CV and cover letter, as well as information about the different types of interviews and how to do them well.
If you’d prefer to book a face-to-face appointment with a National Careers Service Advisor, simply sign up to Skills Launchpad Plymouth and we’ll book you an appointment this summer!
Who? Anyone can access the online resources, but face-to-face appointments are for those aged 18+
When? All year
9. Bright Lights
British Land, the owners of Drake Circus has teamed up with The Launch Group to run a brand new, two-week training programme that will develop the skills you need to shine in a new career!
Develop your CV, apply for jobs, build your interview skills, and meet a variety of employers who are recruiting during this virtual course. All you need to take part is access to a device that connects to the internet.
Who? Anyone 18+
When? 5 – 16 July (Monday to Friday)
10. Springboard
If you have recently left education or are unemployed and interested in a career in the hospitality industry, start your career with Springboard’s dynamic three-week training programme, ‘Destination Hospitality’.
During this virtual programme, you will gain insight into jobs in the industry, develop your employability skills, as well as gaining qualifications in customer service, food safety, become a personal licence holder. All you need is access to a laptop/PC and/or smartphone.
Who? Anyone aged 18-30 and ready to work in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sector
When? 19 July – 6 August (Monday to Friday)
11. Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are real jobs with training, and they start all year round. You can earn while you learn, gain a nationally recognised qualification, and study from Level 2 right up to degree-level, depending on the role you are working towards.
In the latest edition of Plymouth’s exclusive apprenticeship bulletin, there are more than 270 apprenticeship vacancies, so there are lots to choose from. As apprenticeships are like jobs, it’s always a good idea to apply for multiple opportunities.
Whilst there are vacancies available across most job sectors, it’s worth noting that in the bulletin you will find over 100 vacancies in construction, 26 vacancies in business admin and customer service, 23 vacancies in hospitality and care, 25 vacancies in childcare, and 20 vacancies in education.
Click here to see all of the opportunities.
Who? Anyone aged 16+ (there’s no upper age limit)
When? All year
12. Kickstarts
If you’re a young person on Universal Credit, the Kickstart Scheme provides funding for local employers to create new jobs. Kickstart job roles will ensure you are employed for a minimum of 25 hours per week for at least six months.
There are currently more than 100 Kickstart vacancies available in Plymouth, with many opportunities offering the chance to work remotely from home. Kickstart roles are available across multiple job areas, including sport and leisure, hospitality, teaching, administration, construction, digital industries, and more.
If you’re eligible, please get in touch to find out more.
Who? 16-24 year-olds in receipt of Universal Credit
When? June – December
Find out more…
For information about any of our partner programmes, simply e-mail skillslaunchpad@plymouth.gov.uk, or click here to sign up as a member.
Alternatively, you can come and visit us outside Barclays in Plymouth City Centre on Wednesday 7 – Saturday 10 July at our outdoor summer events. Our pop-up gazebo will be located in the Place De Brest between 10am-2pm daily, so do come and say hello.
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