Croydon College has begun helping the borough’s young people get into employment with the launch of a new programme in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The Your Future Get Started Employability Hub, will see the DWP refer 18-24-year-olds and other eligible residents who are looking to gain employability skills and support in achieving their career goals.
Working alongside a DWP Job Coach and College staff, those on the programme will follow five steps to gaining qualifications, essential job skills and a taste of life in a new career.
The five steps are:
Get Engaged through an information and enrolment session at Croydon College
Get Started with an information, advice and guidance session, where a bespoke, individual learning plan will be created based on participants’ situation and ambitions
Get Ready by completing a training programme to gain a Level 1 Certificate in Employability, followed by five days’ work experience in a sector associated with participants’ career choices
Get Going with an assessment of how the programme has gone so far in preparation for applying for and getting hired for a job in the participants’ chosen industry
Get Your Future by reviewing progress at the end of the first and third month to ensure you’re on track for employment
The Employability Youth Hub being located within Croydon College means a number of departments, and subsequent career opportunities are available to be explored to help residents progress – no matter their age or previous skills/qualifications.
Fadia Clarke, Vice Principal, Training, Skills and Higher Education, said: “We are very pleased to work with DWP in supporting young unemployed adults in our local communities to gain skills that will help them back into employment or apprenticeship, though the Croydon College Employability Youth Hub.
“This Hub will also offer participants the opportunity of further skills training to broaden their employment opportunities in new industries that they have not worked in before. We have all been affected by the pandemic, and Croydon DWP and Croydon College are keen to reach as many young adults as possible to provide a good stepping stones back into work.”
Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP said: “The new Youth Hub working with DWP at Croydon College will ensure local young jobseekers get the support they need to find employment and access vital training opportunities.
“This is a challenging time for many young people but our Plan for Jobs is delivering new opportunities, boosting skills and supporting young people back into work as we push to build back better.”
