Help for young people ‘starting out’
Young people in North Warwickshire who are not in education, employment or training, have been given a helping hand thanks to a new course called ‘Starting Out’.
The four-week project, running two days a week, was a partnership between Coventry and Warwickshire Connexions and Warwickshire County Council’s Youth and Community Service.
It offered young people a chance to explore the options available to them by visiting colleges, finding out about apprenticeships and training, and learning how to prepare for interviews.
The course was funded by a grant from Warwickshire’s Youth Opportunities Fund after a group of young people from a similar project last year put together a bid.
Helen Roberts from Connexions, who organised the course, said: “’Starting Out’ has helped young people explore their options whilst developing the necessary skills to further their education or career prospects.
“The course has been extremely successful with the majority of the young people leaving with a part-time job, apprenticeship or an application to start college in September, which is a fantastic achievement in such a short space of time.”
Hugh Disley, Head of the Division for Young People for Warwickshire County Council, said: “Young people may often find it difficult to decide what they want to do when they leave compulsory education, so they are offered support and guidance in Year 11 about the appropriate route to take.
“Some may still find that decision difficult to make once they have left, and therefore courses like ‘Starting out’ provide a valuable insight in to the world of work and further education, which could make that choice much easier.”
For more information about Connexions or Warwickshire County Council’s Youth and Community Service, visit http://www.iyss.org.uk.