Youth Hub Opportunities - August
- jolacy8
- Aug 17, 2023
- 12 min read
So, it’s the summer holidays, time to rest, re-charge and plan for your future! One of the great things about living in Plymouth is that there are lots of opportunities for young people to develop new skills, access different training and education options, and gain experience to find your dream job, apprenticeship or career. Whether you are receiving exam results and maybe uncertain about starting something new in September, or have been looking for the right next step for you, we want to help.
To keep up to date with local support available for education leavers this summer, visit www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk/educationleavers
Hot off the press! Read the 2023-24 edition of ‘Which Way? Your Way!’ helping young people to better understand their options post-16 - www.trainingprovider.com/which-way-your-way-devon/
Help yourself to localised information, advice and guidance through our Youth Hub Resource Bank here:
Below we’ve pulled together the latest local opportunities here in one place – including some great events that you can attend for free. If anything catches your eye, get in touch by:
Emailing skillslaunchpad@plymouth.gov.uk
Texting our Youth Hub Coordinator, Rhianne on 07876396982
Upcoming Events
Skills Launchpad Plymouth - Supporting Education Leavers
It’s that time of year, the exam results are out! For many, this can feel like a daunting and overwhelming time. Don’t panic! Here at Skills Launchpad Plymouth’s Youth Hub, we have everything you could possibly need to help you, with practical advice, guidance and support. From CV writing help, to apprenticeship drop-in, we’ve got you covered! Take a look below to see what’s on offer:
Skills Launchpad Plymouth events being hosted on the first floor of Barclays Bank in the city centre:
Sector Drop-in Sessions: For anyone interested in the construction and built environment or the health and care sectors, drop-in sessions are open every Tuesday between 10am and 3pm with more information about jobs, apprenticeships or further study
Education Leaver CV Surgeries: Young people can pre-book a 30-minute CV review, with appointments available every Wednesday between 10am and 4pm throughout August and September. Click here to book in advance via Eventbrite.
Construction Apprenticeship Drop-ins: Meet local construction training providers on Tuesday 29 August, and Tuesday 12 September, between 10am and 2pm
Training and Apprenticeship Drop-ins: Meet local training providers on Wednesday 23 August and Wednesday 27 September between 10am and 2pm
Application Skills for Apprenticeships and Jobs: Drop in for help with applying for apprenticeships and jobs on Thursday 31 August between 10am and 12noon
Interview Skills for Apprenticeships and Jobs: Mock interviews are available on Thursday 31 August, between 1pm and 3pm, to help develop your skills. Email skillslaunchpad@plymouth.gov.uk to book
Outreach events being hosted by the Skills Launchpad Plymouth team:
Exam results pop-up at the Sundial: Join our Youth Hub team, including our sector coordinators and a CSW Community Engagement Adviser for signposting, advice and guidance on Thursday 17 and 24 August between 10am and 2pm
Pop-up support at Drake Circus: Come and see the Skills Launchpad Plymouth team on the ground floor of Drake Circus on Friday 18 and 25 August, between 10am and 3pm
Higher education and further education events ahead of a September start
University of Plymouth Clearing Information Day
The University of Plymouth are hosting an information day for students who are applying through Clearing or current applicants for 2023 entry, to provide a final opportunity to learn more about the University before starting in September.
When: Saturday 19 August
Time: 10am – 2pm
Where: Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8BH
You can find out more by clicking here - Clearing information day - University of Plymouth
Plymouth Marjon University Drop-In’s
Marjon are offering Drop in Sessions where you can speak to current students, meet with the support and application team, and have a tour of the campus. This is a great chance to discover more about student life, explore the accommodation and find out about the social life, clubs and activities available.
When: Thursday 17 August - Saturday 19 August
Where: Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8BH
You can find out more by clicking here, or you can email visitus@marjon.ac.uk
Arts University Plymouth – Clearing Drop-In Open Day
Arts University Plymouth are holding an Open Day for anyone is interested in applying, or has applied to Arts University Plymouth, this September.
You will be able to find out what courses are available for 2023, as well as speaking to both staff and students about your clearing application. From practical tips on what to include in a creative portfolio, to securing accommodation and student finance, this Open Day will have you set for your first term!
When: Saturday 19 August
Time: 10am-2pm
Where: Tavistock Place, Plymouth, PL4 8AT
To register your place, please click here
Arts University Plymouth – Starting University – Top Tips!
Think you know what to expect from University? Like the idea of hearing more from those who know?
Arts University Plymouth’s Student Ambassadors, along with the Union Team will be running this session to get you ready for moving to university. They will be talking about their experiences studying at Arts University Plymouth, what to expect from university, whilst providing some helpful advice on student life and much more!
When: Tuesday 22 August
Time: 4.30pm-5pm
Where: Online
To find out more, or register your place, please click here
City College Plymouth – Open Day
City College Plymouth are one of the leading providers of vocational, professional and technical training in the South West. They will be holding an Open Day this month to showcase the hundreds of fantastic courses that they have on offer.
When: Friday 25 August
Where: Kings Road Centre, Plymouth, PL1 5QG
Time: 10am-1pm
So, just in case your exam results are not what you were expecting, or you have completely changed your mind about what you want your future to be, this Open Day will give you some great options to think about!
Training and Apprenticeship Drop-in
Come along to this monthly event to meet with local training and apprenticeship providers to see what fantastic opportunities are on offer within the city. Already confirmed are City College Plymouth, Skills Group, Discovery College and Babcock. This is the perfect chance for you to pop in and ask questions!
When: Wednesday 23 August
Where: Skills Launchpad Plymouth, first floor of Barclays, city centre
Time: 10am-2pm
Apply for a traineeship
Have you ever thought that you’d like to try out some different work environments before committing to a job or apprenticeship? Traineeships are designed to help young people aged 16 to 24-year-olds gain skills and experience in a particular work area. In just six to 12 weeks, you will gain experience that will help you move closer to figuring out your next steps – and they can often be extended if you are loving it.
There are local traineeship opportunities available in construction, business, barbering, hairdressing, childcare, beauty, catering, customer service, hospitality, health and care and youth work.
Get in touch to find out how to get started!
Apply for apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are real jobs with training. They start all year round and are not just for school leavers!
Apprenticeships are a great way to 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.
If you are worried about the financial side of an apprenticeship salary, you could be entitled to claim universal credit to top you up, so don’t rule it out as an option.
In the latest edition of Plymouth’s exclusive apprenticeship bulletin, there are hundreds of apprenticeship vacancies. Find out more here www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk/youth-hub-apprenticeship
Access Pre-Employability Support
If you’re looking to get a job, we work with some great organisations who can help you to prepare for work. Whether you would like some impartial careers advice and guidance, support with your CV, cover letters and/or interview prep, we can help.
Education Leaver CV Surgeries: Young people can pre-book a 30-minute CV review, with appointments available every Wednesday between 10am and 4pm throughout August and September. Click here to book in advance via Eventbrite.
CSW Group
If you are aged 16-19 and seeking opportunities for jobs, training or education, the CSW team can help. The fantastic local team help with CV support, and impartial advice, and can point you in the right direction for all the support available to you. CSW Advisors join us at Skills Launchpad Plymouth every Wednesday where you can take advantage of their one to one CV support and advice.
CSW are also offering support with CV writing, interview skills and job searching this August in Lower Abbey Hall. The sessions will be followed by any ongoing support you might need to take the next steps on your career journey. An upcoming Drop-in Session is happening on Friday 18 August in the Lower Abbey Hall, Princess Street, Plymouth, PL1 2AD. No need to book, just pop in.
National Careers Service
For help preparing for jobs, you may like to get started by booking a free appointment with the local National Careers Service team. Barbora supports the Skills Launchpad Plymouth team in providing face-to-face support for anyone 19+. She can help you to make decisions on learning, training and work at ALL stages of your career and best of all… it’s FREE!
Young Devon
The team at Young Devon can support you with 1:1 mentoring, or a 12-week employability course that will help you to develop team and leadership skills, earn qualifications, and make friends for life! They also reimburse you for any travel on public transport. These courses are a great stepping stone back into education, accessing higher level qualifications and employment.
The Prince’s Trust
From a five-day employability course to 12-week team programmes, how to start your own business and more, if you are aged 16-30 and not in full-time training or employment, the Prince’s Trust can help.
Latest opportunities include:
Get into I.T – This is a FREE online programme with Google.Org and Inco Academy. You will get to receive an industry recognised qualification. With time for self led learning, and support and mentoring into Employment, this is a fantastic opportunity! To find out more, please call Mark on 07786381623, or email mark.rhead@princes-trust.org.uk
Enterprise – Are you aged 18-30 with a business idea? Are you looking for some support with being self-employed? This online course is perfect to help get you with writing a business plan, accessing start up loans, finance, tax, marketing and sales. To find out more, please email plymouthenterpriseteam@princes-trust.org.uk
Get Started in Theatre - This is a FREE course, giving you the chance to explore the world of Theatre. You will get to learn about play writing, work towards performing in a group, a play that you have written, gain a Bronze Arts Award and receive up to six months support from The Princes Trust. To find out more, please email hannah.ainsworth@princes-trust.org.uk
Get into Retail with Boots – This is a FREE course that gives you the chance to gain experience and explore opportunities in the retail sector. You will learn about stock rotation, develop customer service skills, boost your confidence and team working skills, as well as having a guaranteed interview with the chance of employment. To find out more, please email hannah.ainsworth@princes-trust.org.uk
Apply for jobs
There are many reasons why you might be looking for a new job at the moment, but the great news is that there are thousands of jobs available, right now, in Plymouth.
For advice on where to apply and things to consider, Find a job | Youth Hub | Skills Launchpad Plymouth
Explore self-employment
Always dreamt of starting your own business? It can be both an exciting adventure and daunting, especially if you have additional barriers to overcome, such as disability or being long-term unemployed.
We have added lots of information and links to support you in setting up your own business in our Resource Bank here and we also suggest checking out the upcoming courses with SMART Skills, the National Careers Service, On Course South West, the Prince’s Trust and City College Plymouth that can help you with starting your own business.
Young Devon can also support those trying to start their own business. Not only can they help with initial business plans, but they can also support financially with grants. To find out how the funding works, or complete an application form, please click here
Access mental health support or boost your confidence
Kooth and Qwell
Kooth and Qwell are free digital mental health and wellbeing services that are available for free to people living in Plymouth.
Both aim to help people manage their own emotional health and wellbeing through anonymous and confidential support, Kooth supports anyone aged 11 -19 and Qwell is for everyone aged 18+.
These safe online spaces, help people to access therapeutic activities, with a peer support community, self-help articles and forums and discussion boards moderated by qualified practitioners. Users can also keep an online journal and monitor their wellbeing via an interactive goal tracker. This will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is also a one-on-one live text chat and messaging counselling service with a team of qualified practitioners. See for yourself, here
Devon Mind
Do you struggle with anxiety? If so, why not sign up to take part in a session to help with understanding anxiety and to learn tips and tools for managing anxiety with Devon Mind? Do you juggle raising a family and keeping up a home whilst suffering from depression? There is a range of short Zoom workshops on offer that can help you prioritise your mental health. Click here to see what’s coming up.
Shekinah
If you are aged 18+ there is so much to get involved in with Shekinah. They can help with short courses around personal development, handling stress and anger, mentoring and coaching, mental health, sexual health, as well as more employability related skills such as English, maths and using computers.
To find out more about their Learning Exchange Programmes, click here. Alternatively, for a safe and friendly place to find out about jobs, courses, and benefits you can drop in and see the team at Bath Street every Friday, 12.30pm-3.30pm
Art, Craft and Laughter
Life can sometimes be overwhelming and having a space to be able to go, take timeout and breathe might just be what you need.
Art, craft and laughter are offering mental health, wellbeing art and craft groups.
Search ‘Art, craft and laughter’ on Facebook or Instagram.
Brush up on your English and maths
You may be fed up with being asked about whether you have your English and maths GCSEs, or a functional skill in numeracy and literacy, but the fact is, these skills matter and can really help you to get better jobs and earn more money in the long run. Here in Plymouth there are a number of training providers who can help. Many build it into a full-time study programme, or help you do it alongside an apprenticeship or traineeship, but you can also do your English and/or maths as a standalone course.
If it is maths you need help with, you may have heard of the Multiply project. Across Plymouth through this funding, providers such as The Focus Training Group, Real Ideas, and On Course South West and others are delivering practical maths courses to make maths more fun.
Get into training or education
It’s never too late to learn new skills. Whether you didn’t quite get your C/4 grades in your English and/or maths at school, or if you want to take your existing qualifications to the next level, Plymouth has lots of providers offering education - and the courses are quite often free.
Courses range from business and coding to hair and beauty, animal care, sport and fitness, military preparation, cooking, and more. Many can even help you to access university-level study.
Your choices at 16 – click here
Your choices at 18 – click here
We work with a wide range of local training providers, and there’s bound to be one very close to where you live, so get in touch if you’d like to discuss all the options available to you.
Training delivered online
A number of our partners also offer free online courses, so why not gain a new qualification or skill from the comfort of your own home?
Courses range from computer essentials, professional development, and digital design and marketing; to business admin, specialist care courses, and interview skills.
Get started with the links below:
Volunteer
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.
Plymouth has lots of great volunteering opportunities with organisations including: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust / NHS Cadets, St John's Ambulance, Age UK Plymouth, Elder Tree Befriending, Trevi, Shekinah, The Box, Barnardos, Devon Mind, The Zone, Devon Wildlife Trust, Gables, Devon and Cornwall Police, Ocean Discovery Rangers, National Marine Aquarium, Clean Our Patch, Nature Plymouth, Citizens Advice Plymouth and Moor Trees.
You can also explore vacancies broadly by visiting Volunteering | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK or https://govolunteering.co.uk/
Opportunities vary from helping people, animals and children, to admin, retail and customer Service. There are also environmental opportunities outdoors, or in nature/gardening, right through to media, history and fundraising. What a great way to develop your skills and meet new people?!
Click here for more links via our resource bank.
Opportunities in Construction
The construction industry is booming. If you want to find out about the latest skills, training, education, apprenticeships and jobs available locally, your first stop should be the Construction and the Built Environment Drop in. Based in Barclays, Armada Way, the Job Shop is open to anyone, just drop in on a Tuesday between 10-3pm.
You may also like to look at upcoming short courses and accreditations for new and experienced tradespeople with:
New to construction?
Why not check out Greenlight Training or CTSW’s two-week pre-employment courses? Both will give you a great opportunity to develop your skills and get a feel for what you enjoy.
Why not check out Vistry Train4All to see what short courses and longer term programmes they offer?
Alternatively, the Sherford Training Programme can help you gain a week’s onsite training and experience, and the chance to gain your CSCS card.
·Check out City College Plymouth’s Green Skills and Retrofit Bootcamp – Click here
Get Hard Hat Ready with Kier and City College Plymouth
Like the idea of being part of the South West’s booming construction industry?
Kier and City College Plymouth are running a five week Hard Hat Ready programme.
The course will cover: Bricklaying
Plastering
Painting and Decorating
Carpentry
Plumbing
Health and Safety
CSCS card
These courses start monthly. If you would like to take advantage of this fantastic FREE programme, please click here.
Opportunities in health and 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.
Drop into our Health and Social Care Job Shop, every Tuesday between 10-3pm in Barclays, Armada Way.
Check out the Council’s Home Care Assistant campaign here and register your interest for a call back.
Explore the jobs and volunteering opportunities available with Livewell South West here.
It’s also worth exploring the e-learning section above, as there are lots of free online courses you can do to develop skills for the health and social care sector.
For more information on all things health and care, please click here for our most recent health and care opportunity mailer.
Find out more…
For information about any of our partner programmes, e-mail skillslaunchpad@plymouth.gov.uk, or visit www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk to sign up as a member and one of the team will contact you.
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