Question 1

CV writing and interview support

Accepted Answer

As you may know, a CV is a short summary of your skills, achievements and experience. It’s often the first step when applying for a job or apprenticeship, so it’s important to tailor it to each role.

The good news is there’s plenty of support available to help you create a CV that stands out and feel confident preparing for interviews.

Online support
National Careers Service
Free advice on writing your CV, completing applications and preparing for interviews:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/get-a-job

Skills to Succeed Academy
Free online training with bite-sized modules to help you choose a career, find a job and succeed at work: https://s2sacademy.com/register/DW1DC1

Barclays LifeSkills
Helpful tools to build skills and strengthen your CV: https://barclayslifeskills.com/young-people/

Youth Employment UK
Careers resources and advice from employers and young people:
https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/looking-for-work-careers-booklet/

Local Support in Plymouth
Jobcentre Plus (JCP)
If you’re claiming benefits, speak to your Work Coach for help with your CV and interview skills.

Careers Plymouth
Support for young people not in education, employment or training, including CV and interview advice: Careers Plymouth | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK

Plymouth Community Homes – Learn for Free
Free training for PCH residents to build skills and confidence:
https://www.plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk/our-community/learn-for-free/

Programmes and Courses
King’s Trust (16–30)
Support to build confidence, improve CVs and prepare for work:
https://www.kingstrust.org.uk/how-we-can-help/tools-resources

Upcoming programmes: https://www.kingstrust.org.uk/how-we-can-help/explore-all-support

Young Devon (16–25)
Free training to build employability skills, including CV writing and mock interviews. Gain recognised qualifications:
https://www.youngdevon.org/our-courses/work-based-learning

Discovery College (YMCA Plymouth, 16–19)
10-week #FUTURES programme combining practical activities, employability skills and CV support to help you move into work or further study:
https://discoverycollege.co.uk/courses/employability/futures/

Getting support with your CV and interview skills can make a big difference. With the right help, you’ll feel more confident and ready to take your next step into work, training or an apprenticeship.

Question 2

Developing your English, maths and digital skills

Accepted Answer

Don’t worry - there’s loads of support in Plymouth and online to help you get the job or apprenticeship you want.

English and maths (sometimes called literacy and numeracy) are really important. Most employers will expect you to have these skills or be working towards a qualification.

It’s also important to feel confident using a computer. These days, a lot of job searching and applications happen online, so having digital skills can really help. This could be anything from using email and filling in applications, to creating documents, staying safe online, or even learning skills like coding, content creation or digital marketing.

If you want to build or improve any of these skills, you’re not alone - there are plenty of ways to get started. From one-to-one support to online courses and face-to-face learning, there’s something to suit everyone.

Get started online
The Skills Toolkit
Free courses to help you build digital and numeracy skills: https://theskillstoolkit.campaign.gov.uk/

BT Skills for Tomorrow
Learn useful digital skills for everyday life and work: https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/

English and Maths Support in Plymouth
City College Plymouth
Improve your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, or work towards Functional Skills or GCSEs: https://www.cityplym.ac.uk/courses/?subject-area=english-maths

Discovery College (16–19)
If you’re aged 16–19 and want to improve your English or maths, you can get support here:
https://discoverycollege.co.uk/courses/employability/gcse-maths-english/

Support if English isn’t your first language
Finding a job in a new country can feel challenging, but there’s support available to help you build your skills and confidence.

ODILS Learning Foundation
Get support with employability skills and applying for jobs:
https://odils.com

City College Plymouth (ESOL)
English courses for speakers of other languages:
https://www.cityplym.ac.uk/courses/english-for-speakers-of-other-languages/

Whatever your starting point, there are lots of options to help you build confidence, gain qualifications and move towards work or training at your own pace.

Question 3

Would you like to build independent life skills?

Accepted Answer

Young Devon
Free training for 16-25 year olds: Grow in conﬁdence and learn new skills with Young Devon
Independent Life Skills – developing life-based skills
Learn more about:
Community Laws
Independent Living
Environmental Issues
Personal Health
Earn an Entry Level 3 Qualiﬁcation.
Contact: Text: 07779 578399 Phone: 01626 356720
Email: thechangeacademy@youngdevon.org
www.youngdevon.org
Seadream Education CIC
Seadream Education CIC ​experiential learning​ ​project has secured funding from the European Social Fund to benefit people ​aged 16+​ ​that are connected to ​Plymouth​ and are currently ​not in employment, education or training​.
Seadream activities are designed and delivered by enthusiastic professionals and have elements of environmental stewardship; scientific enquiry; discovery and exploration; ocean literacy; personal development; confidence building, and, employability and teamwork skills. This programme will encourage making connections between opportunities and skill sets in multiple sectors such as science, engineering, business, arts, caring professions, media, marketing and much more.
Project participants will go on professionally planned and guided trips to local venues, revealing opportunities to the many varied, exciting, rewarding and above all achievable life learning, career opportunities, link learning to real-life challenges, and, raise aspirations.
Seadream activities are suitable for all, regardless of gender, ethnic background or social status.  Activities will be tailored to suite academic ability, interests, physical ability and setting, providing ample opportunities to stretch the more able individual whilst nurturing the less confident. 
This project is fully funded. All activities and resources will be free of charge​ ​to all project participants aged 16 plus that are not in education, training or employment.  This is a new and exciting style of project that is based on informal experiential learning.
Please ​contact​ Juliette for further information by email ​jjackson@seadreameducation.com or via the Facebook page: ​https://www.facebook.com/Seadreameducation/
This project is part funded by the ESF and ESFA as a part of the Community Grants Programme

Question 4

Would you like to be mentored?

Accepted Answer

Prince’s Trust offers 1:1 Mentoring and Development Awards for young people aged 16-30years.
As part of all of Prince’s Trust programmes (and standalone if needed) they can support young people with 1:1 mentoring for a period of 6 months. Prince’s Trust also have the facility to support young people with small grants (Development Awards) to help them to overcome barriers into work, education or training (e.g. transport to a new job).
Email for more information: plymouthhub@princes-trust.org.uk

YMCA Plymouth offers a free mentoring programme for young people aged 16 to 24-years-old called My Future. The programme assigns each young person with a business professional mentor who kindly volunteers their time for the duration of the academic year. Both mentee and mentor will meet regularly to discuss various topics, ranging from careers, aspirations, life skills and employability. With the support of the mentor coordinator, mentors are able to access resources and training, as well as guidance throughout the process.
Email for more information: liz.bell@ymcaplymouth.org.uk

Question 5

Employability skills

Accepted Answer

Your Future - this is a bespoke programme designed specifically to support young people, building their confidence and exploring their aspirations towards employment, education or training.
By engaging in day trips, short breaks, and hands-on learning experiences you will:
Meet others and make new friends 
Develop interpersonal and social skills
Boost employability 
Build confidence
Support self-resilience
Increase teamwork and independent living skills
Gain an understanding of local opportunities that are right for you
Who can get involved?
Young people aged between 19- 25 
Those with Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs)
Those with other support needs
Those who experience barriers to learning
What to expect?
Five weeks of enjoyable learning activities, inclusive of a minimum of two tailored short breaks*
Individualised coaching and mentoring support throughout
When/how can I get involved?
Contact the team by emailing yourfuture@oncoursesouthwest.co.uk to find out about the latest start dates.
There are also  unique opportunities for 16 - 18-year-olds.

Support for education leavers - click here!

Get work ready skills

CV writing and interview support

Developing your English, maths and digital skills

Would you like to build independent life skills?

Would you like to be mentored?

Employability skills

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