Work skills 'boot camps' re-open to young people

Plymouth’s pioneering ‘workskills boot camps’ are now open once more to young people looking to get into work.

The scheme which was launched by Plymouth City Council and run by Whiz Kidz, a non-profit making organisation set up to improve the employability skills of young people, has been hailed as a success after returning impressive results last year.

86 per cent of those who took part in last year's scheme succeeded in getting off benefits. The project is now being copied in other parts of the country.

The two-week programme is based at the Council’s City Business Park, which is home to 107 businesses, making it an ideal location for young people to see what skills employers want.

Course tutor Alan Jones says “Last year’s programme saw around 86 per cent success rate in getting young people off benefit. We still haven’t given up with those not yet working and are in touch and continuing to support them. This progamme is about changing young people’s attitudes, motivation and giving them a chance.”

17-year-old Kodi Burton signed up for a previous programme, she said: “They helped me find an apprenticeship and when I lost my job, picked me up dusted me off and helped me find another one - they don’t give up on you.”

Nicole Rowe, aged 18, said: “The Workskills Bootcamp is different to any other course, for a start, the staff really care about you. They encouraged me to try different things and pushed me out of my comfort zone which was tough. I am now looking for a career in hospitality which is a complete change and I’m buzzing!”

The course is an intensive week of training and support on core employability skills, looking at interview technique, using computer and office equipment and other issues such as the tone and language of business communications.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Tudor Evans said: “Practical advice to give our young people the skills they need to get their foot in the door – yet again, Plymouth is leading where others follow. Our 1,000 Club has been a huge success and Plymouth Plan for Jobs is going great guns.”

Councillor Nicky Williams, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: “We have made jobs and skills – particularly for our young people a top priority. This project puts the potential employee and businesses together to see what skills and advice will make a real difference not just to our young people but to the companies that employ them.”

The workskills boot camps run monthly until March 2014. For more information visit the Whizz Kidz website at www.wkuk.org

Anyone aged 16 to 18 can attend a briefing session. Check out the website for more information www.wkuk.org or call 01752 306000 to book onto a briefing session. Young people over 18 should ask for their Job Centre Advisor for a referral.