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Aged 16-24? Spring into a New Opportunity

It’s National Careers Week and whether you are seeking education, training or employment, looking for a change, or ready to take your next steps, there’s lots on offer in Plymouth.


We have pulled together 17 of the latest opportunities, so if anything catches your eye contact the team by emailing skillslaunchpad@plymouth.gov.uk, or text 07876396982.

1. Real Ideas Organisation

Green Thinkers This six-week programme is a great chance to take part in practical activities and group work to learn about working with green spaces. You just need to commit to two days a week between 10am - 3pm, and you will gain industry insight and care for Plymouth’s green spaces, help to create new green spaces for future generations to enjoy and help increase the quality of our lives in the community.


Who? Anyone aged 18-25 years old and in receipt of universal credit

When? From Monday 11 April

2. City College Plymouth

Prince’s Trust Team Programme

Did you know that there’s a Prince’s Trust team based at the College and that they run the FREE Prince’s Trust 12-week Teams programme?


This personal development programme will develop your skills, land you a qualification and you can meet new people, all whilst making a positive difference in a community project, going on a residential trip, taking part in work experience and generally having the time of your life!

Don’t want to commit to 12 weeks straight away? The College also has pre-employability courses starting every week.


Who? Anyone aged 16-24

When? From Monday 14 March or Monday 4 April


3. Young Devon Skills Courses

Work-based Learning

Develop functional and work-based skills during this 12-week full-time course. You will learn more about your chosen career area, prepare for work, gain employability skills and take part in mock interviews and work on your CV. You will also earn a Level 1 qualification and can be supported with your Level 2 English and maths if required.


Who? Anyone aged 16-25

When? Various start dates


Independent Life Skills

Develop life-based skills during this 12-week full-time course. You will learn more about community laws, independent living, environmental issues and personal health. You will also earn an Entry Level 3 qualification.


Who? Anyone aged 16-25

When? Various start dates


4. Devon Mind

Do you struggle with anxiety? If so, why not take part in a session to help with understanding anxiety and to learn tips and tools for managing anxiety


Each session is an hour and will be run on Zoom to a small group, which includes a facilitator from Devon Mind explaining anxiety and some short online activities. Interaction is optional and can be done anonymously. There is also no pressure to turn your camera on and unmute yourself, if you do not feel comfortable doing so.


Who? Anyone aged 16-24

When? Tuesday 5 April, 11am-12noon on Zoom


5. Experience Works and Empowering Enterprise programmes

If you need additional help to get into work, training or education; or if you need support to stick with school or college, we work with a number of partners who may be able to help you including, Battling On, Bluescreen IT, Young Devon, and Groundworks South.


E-mail skillslaunchpad@plymouth.gov.uk for more information on this.


Who? 15–24-year-olds (eligibility does apply)

When? Various


6. Opportunities in construction

The construction industry is booming, and if you’d like to explore where you fit in, your first stop should be the Building Plymouth Job Shop. Based in Barclays, the Job Shop is open to anyone, just drop in on a Tuesday between 12noon-2pm.

You may also like to look at:

  • Greenlight Training’s pre-employment course - during this two-week course, you will learn fundamental skills in carpentry, bricklaying, plastering, painting and decorating, floor laying, groundworks, roofing, dry lining and plant, so you are ready to apply for apprenticeships (for 19-24-year olds).

  • Greenlight Training’s weekly trade assessments for 16-18-year-old education-leavers to help progress into apprenticeship programmes or further training.

  • CTSW’s two-week pre-apprenticeship course for anyone aged 16+ - it’s a great opportunity to develop your hand skills, spending two days in each trade area to get a feel for what you enjoy. You’ll also take part in a work trial with an employer.

  • The Sherford Training Programme can help you gain five days of on-site experience, and the chance to gain your CSCS card.

  • Train4all and Vistry Partnerships eight-week onsite training programme in North Prospect which will help you obtain multiple qualifications and your CSCS green card

7. Opportunities in health and social care

There has never been a more important time for the health and social care sector, and there continues to be a shortage of workers, particularly in the home care sector.


Whether you have a background in care or a feeling that you may be good at it, there are lots of ways to find out more.

  • People of all ages can drop into our Health and Social Care Job Shop, every Thursday between 12noon-2pm in Barclays.

  • Check out the Council’s Home Care Assistant campaign here and register your interest for a callback.

  • Explore the jobs and volunteering opportunities available with Livewell South West here.

  • The Prince’s Trust Get Started with Health and Care programme is running from 15-17 March and offers anyone 18-30 the opportunity to explore the range of roles on offer, and prepare to secure a job in the Health & Social Care sector. Taking part in this programme will give you the opportunity to take part in up to three interviews with Health and Social Care employers that are hiring right now across Devon. The programme is hosted online via Zoom.

  • It’s also worth scrolling down to the e-learning section, as there are lots of free online courses you can do to develop skills for the health and social care sector.

8. Plymouth Training

Traineeship

This flexible 10-week Traineeship is designed around you and your interests. The programme will see you taking part in a placement activity in your chosen sector, work readiness sessions, wellbeing activities and support with obtaining a Level 1 in English and maths – and for those interested in Hospitality, they have a great programme set up with Boringdon Hall Hotel in Plympton.


Who? Anyone aged 19 to 24-years old

When? Applications welcome all year round


9. 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 300 apprenticeship vacancies, so there are lots to choose from.


Our next apprenticeship bulletin will be released in early April but click here to see our most recent bulletin.


Who? Anyone aged 16+ (there’s no upper age limit)

When? All year


10. Part-time Courses

It’s not too late to start a part-time vocational course at a local college. Achievement Training, City College Plymouth and On Course South West, are just a few of the providers delivering courses face-to-face throughout the year – including vital English and maths lessons.


Who? Anyone 19+

When? Various start dates available


11. Shekinah

If you are aged 18+ there is so much to get involved with at Shekinah. Drop-in and see them at 24 Stonehouse Street. Timetable below:

Wednesdays 9.30am - 2.30pm: Employability Course

12.30pm - 4pm: Essential Digital Skills Course

Thursdays 9.30am - 2.30pm: Art Course

Fridays 9.30am - 12.30pm: Maths and English Courses

9.30am - 2.30pm: Art Courses


12. Military Preparation College

Thinking about a career in the armed forces? Enjoy being active and keen to work on your fitness levels? Gain a BTEC Level 2 in Work Skills that could transfer to any future career, and take part in daily physical education, fitness assessments, adventure training, low-level tactics and more with MPC. They will also help you progress into further education or enter the services.


Who? Anyone aged 16-19

When? Four days a week, 9am-4pm – you can join all year round


13. FREE E-learning opportunities

A number of our partners offer free online courses. So why not use the darker evenings and mornings to gain a new qualification or skill?

Courses range from computer essentials, professional development and digital design and marketing; to business admin, specialist care courses, and interview skills.


Links for more information are below:



14. The Argyle Community Trust

If you’re a young person on Universal Credit and would like to experience what its like to work behind the scenes of a professional football club and within the community, whilst also gaining vital employability skills and building confidence then a Traineeship with Argyle Community Trust could be the perfect programme for you.


You will also have the opportunity to gain functional skills in maths and English and 100 hours of work experience.


Who? 16-24-year-olds in receipt of Universal Credit or unemployed

When? Starting Wednesday 27 April (also flexible to starters all year round)


15. SMART Skills

Interested in accessing some training to learn new skills? There are several opportunities over the following sectors:

  • Marine

  • Digital Technologies (Including AI & Data Analysis)

  • Composite

  • Advanced Manufacturing

  • Environmental Futures, Clean growth, & Renewables

  • Construction, Hospitality (Leadership & Management)

  • Leadership & Management

  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Manufacturing)

For the latest opportunities, take a look at their course calendar here.


16. Volunteering

Volunteering is a fantastic way to test out different jobs to find out what you prefer, as well as helping you to gain experience and develop soft skills that are useful in all careers. You may also choose to volunteer as a way to give back and share your skills and experience with others.


There are lots of opportunities to volunteer in Plymouth, whether that’s supporting a one-day charity event as a marshall, being a phone friend to help combat loneliness

and isolation for the elderly, or caring for animals. To explore and apply for local opportunities, click here for the One Plymouth website. Alternatively, click here for more links via the Plymouth Online Directory.


17. Careers advice and CV support

One of our key delivery partners is the National Careers Service. The fantastic local team, based here in Plymouth, provides face-to-face support with careers information, advice and guidance on CVs, cover letters, and interview prep; and can help you to make decisions on learning, training and work at ALL stages of your career. Best of all… it’s FREE!


If you’d like to have an appointment at Skills Launchpad Plymouth, we can arrange pre-booked appointments for our members, so simply sign up as a member here or contact us.


If you’re not quite ready for a face-to-face appointment, visit the National Careers Service website here to try out a skills assessment, explore over 800 careers, or search for learning and training opportunities. The website has great advice on making career choices, getting a job, and progressing in your career.


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.

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