We have recognised the difficulties facing our learners when leaving a provision age 16 and venturing unsupported into mainstream education such as a college placement or into the world of paid work. Therefore, we have created an environment for support to be offered to our most vulnerable learners until they are more equipped with coping strategies and life skills to manage this transition with a successful outcome.
We are currently assisting our post 16 learners with their transition from education to the world of employment. The support on offer is not only around careers advice, CV and interview practice and work placements, it will also focus on seemingly simple things which are, in fact, a huge challenge for some of our learners, like negotiating public transport in order to get to work.
For instance, recently Callum, one of our post 16 learners commuted from his home address to the our head office in Astwood, accompanied by Sam, his coach. This journey involved a lot of supported forward planning from Callum and even the completion of a risk assessment to allow him to overcome his anxieties around travelling on public transport, crowds and unforeseen changes to travel plans (train cancellations etc.). Following this experience, Callum feels more prepared and confident in making his way independently to any work he may be offered in the future.
Some of our learners already have clear ideas about the sort of further education or career path they would like to take, others need more help. We are working with them to explore their ideas through visits to a variety of industries to give our learners an insight into different careers and working environments. We are also organising supported volunteer and work experience roles, relating to our learners’ interests which will allow them to develop important work and life skills and improve levels of confidence. These trips and placements will take place alongside and contribute to their education at The Seeds of Change where they are completing City & Guilds Land-based diplomas, Employability Level 1 and 2 diplomas and functional skills certificates in both English and Maths.
If you would like to find out more about our work with Post 16 learners, please contact us.
By The Seeds Of Change
