CXK is recruiting for its next Elevate programme in Canterbury; a scheme designed to help unemployed young people to build confidence, develop their English and Maths skills, and find work.
Elevate is a programme for 16-24 year olds who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training); and do not hold English and/or Maths at GCSE level 4 (grade C) or above. The 12 week programme begins on 16th January and is open to anyone in the Canterbury and surrounding areas.
Participants benefit from a personal development programme designed to help them improve their confidence and develop their English and Maths skills. They also benefit from work placements relevant to their career aspirations. The programme is completely free of charge.
Supported by a dedicated tutor, the participating young people work on their interview, presentation and job application skills. They are supported to develop their English and Maths functional skills; bolster their I.T and customer service skills; and focus heavily on personal development and confidence building. In addition, they benefit from individual work placements tailored to their career field of interest. CXK works with a large network of local employers to support this element of the programme.
Having successfully completed the programme, the participating young people gain English and Maths functional skills qualifications at the right level for them; and a Certificate in Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development.
Ethan, 16 and from Ashford, completed the Elevate programme earlier this year and secured an apprenticeship as a result; “I came to CXK for help in September 2018 when I was turned away from my local college for not having the right English qualifications for the childcare course I wanted to do. I had also recently applied for some childcare apprenticeships. But I wasn’t successful due to not having the confidence or experience to do well at the interview.
“CXK told me about Elevate – a course where I could not only study English Functional Skills but also have a chance to do some work experience and improve my employability qualifications. I decided this would be a good option for me so I applied to do the course and got a place to start the next week.
“I did work experience at a nursery in Ashford. Listening to everything they taught me, I got to think up my own activities for the children which linked to what they were learning that day. I bonded well with the children and apparently they were asking when I would be back with them! The next week I received an email saying they had a vacancy for an apprentice to start in January and they wanted to offer me the position based on how well I had done during my work experience placement.
“Elevate, and especially my work experience, has given me confidence and experience. These along with the practical opportunities have helped me succeed in gaining my apprenticeship. I’m excited for what the future holds.”
43 young people took part in the programme last year. 88% progressed into education, employment or training within 12 months.
For further information on the programme, including how to apply, click here.
