Skills Launchpad Plymouth
Get work ready skills
Get help with job hunting including CV writing, applying for jobs and preparing for interviews. Polish up your maths, English and digital skills.
As you may know, a CV is a short, written summary of your skills, achievements and experience. You often use it in the first stage of applying for jobs. Employers may ask for a CV instead of an application form but it’s important to adapt to each job description.
There is help available so that you can create a CV that stands out and gets you through to the interview stage.
National Careers Service
On this page, there is lots of free advice including; writing your CV, completing an application form, preparing for interviews and job hunting.
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/get-a-job
Skills to Succeed Academy
The Skills to Succeed Academy is a free online employability training programme developed by Accenture. Created specifically to meet the needs of jobseekers, the Skills to Succeed Academy offers bite size, interactive online training modules to prepare Learners for the entire journey of choosing the right career, finding a job and succeeding in the work place.
https://s2sacademy.com/register/DW1DC1
JCP Plymouth
If you are a claimant, ask your Work Coach for help with your CV and they will be happy to support.
CSW Group
CSW can support young people who are not in education, employment or training with information on CVs and interview techniques.
Live West
Navigate your way - are you 19 years old or over and living in Plymouth? Are you thinking about changing your job, progressing your career, getting into work or just curious about the world of work? Navigate Your Way may be for you. You will be able to:
Undertake a skills audit
Identify progression route in your current role
Explore what may be holding you back from the world of work
Support to prepare a plan to achieve your work goal
Coaching support throughout
Possible progression to on-line courses now (many are free)
If you are interested, e-mail Yvonne.harding@livewest.co.uk.
Plymouth Community Homes
Learn for Free is a free training programme for PCH residents – Get Skilled - Get Involved – Get Together.
https://www.plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk/our-community/learn-for-free/
Prince’s Trust
The Prince’s Trust support young people with employability skills to get work ready.
https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/help-for-young-people/tools-resources
Future Steps – to live, learn and earn (16 – 30 years old)
Online employability course:
Tailored support to build confidence and communication skills
Employability sessions to help ace that job interview
Support includes 1-2-1 Mentor support and CV review
To find out more call or text:
Ashleigh 07425632049 or Mark 07786 381 623
Email Ashleigh.coward@princes-trust.org.uk or mark.rhead@princes-trust.org.uk
Team Programme
If you’re unemployed and between 16 and 25, you can meet new people, gain new skills and train on this 12-week Team programme:
Take on your own group community project, making a positive difference to the place where you live
Take part in an action-packed residential trip
Get two weeks’ work experience in something you’re interested in
Develop your English and Maths skills
As part of the course, we also spend some time developing your interview and CV skills to ensure your confidence is sky-high for when taking the next step
To find out more call:
0800 842 842 or call Jane on 07904 833796
Email jane.anning@princes-trust.org.uk
How Life Skills can support you right now
Are you ready to think about the areas you might like to develop further? Inform your CV now.
https://barclayslifeskills.com/young-people/
Youth Employment
Resources for the Class of 2020 - The Young Professional suite of resources includes support from careers experts, youth ambassadors and also youth friendly employers.
https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/looking-for-work-careers-booklet/
Young Devon
Free training for 16-25 year olds: Work-Based Learning developing functional, work-based skills. Learn more about:
Your Chosen Career
Preparing for Work
Skills for Employability
Mock Interviews and CVs
Earn a Level 1 Qualification.
Earn up to a Level 2 Maths and English Functional Skills Qualification.
Contact: Text: 07779 578399 Phone: 01626 356720
Email: thechangeacademy@youngdevon.org
Discovery College, part of YMCA Plymouth
Duration: 10 Weeks
Requirements: Aged 16-19
Cost: Free
#FUTURES Get your future on-track with the skills and support you need #FUTURES is a different kind of programme, combining practical tasks with fun workshops, aimed at getting you skilled and ready to take that next step.
#FUTURES isn’t just another dull employability programme. This 10 week course will give you the skills you need while having a great time. The programme runs 3 days a week with Monday at the scenic Lopwell Barn where you will take part in team activities, business skills workshops and learn practical skills. Transport is provided to The Barn on a Monday and a minibus will leave and return from Discovery College. On a Thursday and Friday you will be at Discovery College improving your employability skills that will help you land that job or place in further/higher education.
Activities:
Running & Marketing an Event
Trips to Local Businesses
CV Skills
Woodwork
Finance skills
Team activities & games
Qualifications - Level 1 Skills for Employment Training & Personal Development
Visit online www.ymcaplymouth.org.uk/futures
Call: 01752 761012
Argyle Community Trust
Open to all 18 years+ claiming a benefit, Get Set to Shine is a 12 week Employability Programme at Home Park. A great chance to meet people and gain additional qualifications. This tailored programme provides you with a personal mentor who helps you progressing training and employment. An opportunity to improve health, well-being and confidence.
Speak to your Jobcentre Work Coach for more information, eligibility criteria and to be booked a place on to the programme.
Contact Emma Potter Emma.Potter@pafc.co.uk or call 01752 562561 ext 4
Don’t worry! There’s lot of help in Plymouth and online to get the job or apprenticeship you really want.
English and maths (or literacy and numeracy) are essential skills that most employers want you to be able to demonstrate or have qualifications in.
It’s also useful to be able to use a computer and digital skills confidently. Since lockdown, the world of work has been online more than ever before. Digital skills can be anything from using social media and staying safe online to coding, programming or digital marketing.
If these are skills you would like to work on, refresh or start over, then no worries, that’s all possible.
There are all sorts of options from one-to-one coaching, through to online learning courses; something to suit everyone. Take a look here:
The Skills Tool-Kit – get started
Digital and numeracy skills are highly valued by employers, and can help you progress in work and boost job prospects. Find free, high quality digital and numeracy courses at https://theskillstoolkit.campaign.gov.uk/
BT Skills for Tomorrow
Learn digital skills to help you in all areas of life – home and work life.
https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/
English or literacy skills
To develop your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and to work towards a Functional English or English GCSE qualification find out more how City College Plymouth can help.
https://www.cityplym.ac.uk/courses/?subject-area=english-maths
English & Maths (16-19) - Functional skills / GCSE
If you're aged 16-19 years and you'd like to develop your English or Maths qualifications, please visit Discovery College for support. For further information, visit the website
https://discoverycollege.co.uk/courses/employability/gcse-maths-english/
Employment support and skills development for speakers of other languages
Trying to get a job in a new country can be a daunting task. Odils offers support to second language speakers in Plymouth to help them build their employment skills and apply for jobs through a number of mentoring projects. Please contact Odils directly to find the best project for you
https://www.cityplym.ac.uk/courses/english-for-speakers-of-other-languages/
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
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
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
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.