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What's been happening at Careers Wales North East?
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1. Help provided to face redundancy and unemployment2. Employment and training for young people3. Pathway 9 4. Flintshire Business Week1. Help provided to face redundancy and unemploymentRedundancy and unemployment is more than not having a job. It’s also about admitting you need help. Careers Wales North East helped over 70 unemployed people during July. This is nearly twice the number a year ago. And if the thought of putting a CV together and applying for jobs is discouraging then practical help is at hand.
Individuals may access ReAct awards of up to £2,500 towards the costs of vocational training courses in a new job via Careers Wales. The redundancy action fund (ReAct) package of financial support is available to help individuals to gain new skills, overcome obstacles and improve their chances of returning to work.
ReAct funding from the Welsh Assembly is available if you've been made redundant in the last six months, are over 25 or not entitled to New Deal if under 25, are currently unemployed, and have not been in continuous employment for six weeks or more since being made redundant.
Careers Wales also helps people who are unemployed or face redundancy to improve their interview techniques and produce an effective CV.
2. Employment and training for young peopleMany employers are keen to recruit a young person as a trainee or an apprentice, but often have questions about the types of training schemes that are currently available. As a leading recruitment agency Careers Wales offers employers a free service to recruit young people aged 16-19.
Work based learning is not a new idea. Apprenticeships have existed in one way or another for hundreds of years, but the names and types of training schemes have changed and may not be familiar to all employers.
Careers Wales provides free advice and guidance about government sponsored training schemes. We can also screen for suitable candidates, supply and collect application forms, and offer interview facilities. We will advertise your vacancy in our Careers Shops and on the website free of charge.
Employers also benefit from getting involved with preparing young people in education for the world of work such as offering work experience placements. For more information please contact your nearest Careers Shop.
3. Pathway 9The proportion of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) is a particular concern as this can lead to long-term unemployment. To help prevent a rise of NEET numbers locally, Careers Wales North East is working with Flintshire and Wrexham schools and Local Education Authorities to identify young people in need of additional support.
Pathway 9 is an innovative 'keeping in touch' programme for vulnerable young people in Year 9 who have been excluded or are at risk of becoming excluded from school. Exclusion from school reduces the opportunity for them to achieve qualifications.
The young people participating on Pathway 9 are helped by Careers Wales North East to improve their attendance at school, change their behaviour, and become more confident and motivated through continuous one-to-one support.
The original Pathway 9 project began in January 2005 as a pilot funded by ESF called Keeping In Touch 9 (KIT9). As a result, 86% of participants in Flintshire achieved a qualification in Year 11, with 86% achieving a first destination of employment, education or training. In Wrexham, 98% achieved a qualification, with 98% achieving a first destination of employment, education or training (10% higher than 2007).
4. Flintshire Business WeekEmployers that encourage the career progression of their workforce clearly appreciate the impact of people development on business performance. Careers Wales North East is pleased to be sponsoring a 'People Development Award’ that recognises such commitment.
The ‘People Development Award’ is one of the highlights at this year’s Flintshire Business Week in October. It is aimed at employers that can demonstrate how people development strategy has improved business performance, encouraged career progression and created a committed, motivated and effective workforce.
Careers Wales North East is encouraging all employers in Flintshire who think they may meet the criteria to enter for this award and gain the recognition they deserve.
Careers Wales supports employers with their workforce development. An initial assessment of employees’ skills, abilities and training needs is first carried out. This is followed by advice about how these training needs can be met, and skills developed, in line with business performance objectives.
