Young people unsure what to do after receiving their exam results are being encouraged to embark on a new practical course aimed at helping them realise their potential.
Break Through is a five day programme spread over a period of five weeks, which has been launched and self-funded by two local business: Bridge PR & Media Services and Crimson Ltd. The course combines practical outdoor activities with skills-based master classes and will take place in Coventry from mid October.
The programme will see media experts Bridge PR and recruitment IT specialist Crimson use their own experience and skills to demonstrate to young people how to enhance their job prospects and market themselves to potential employers. Participants will spend the first day in woodland on a range of activities including setting up and organising their camp, building and maintaining a fire, preparing food and learning to co-operate as part of a team. The young people will also spend time with the two businesses learning how to craft professional and attractive CVs, using online tools for research and to promote themselves, developing their communication skills and fine tuning their presentation skills. The project has been specially designed to use experiential learning through games and activities to increase the knowledge and skills of young people, making the programme fun, engaging and transformative.
Denise Taylor, Managing Director of Bridge PR & Media Services who has been working with young people for many years, said: “It’s tough being a young person these days. The job market is very competitive and it can be difficult know which way to turn. But the message we are giving to young people is that they can achieve their goals if they know the strategies and techniques that appeal to employers. They will learn a range of different skills that they can use to market themselves effectively to prospective employers.”
Both companies are utilising their extensive business networks to link up with potential employers in the Midlands area interested in employing a young person or taking someone on under an apprenticeship or graduate scheme. Break Through is also receiving help to promote the project from Coventry City Council, the local Job Shop and apprenticeship and training providers.
Crimson has a long heritage of employing young people and working with them to help them progress their careers with the company. The firm’s senior IT recruitment manager joined the company nine years ago as a software developer with little industry knowledge but has since become an integral and senior part of Crimson’s infrastructure.
Crimson Managing Director Rob Mallaband commented: “For many employers the attitude of candidates is often more important than skills and experience. Skills can be taught but only with the right attitude. What is unique about Break Through is that it is open to any young person who just needs a bit of guidance in their career search. This includes NEETs, graduates, even people in employment who want to work in a different industry with greater opportunities. There are employers in the Midlands keen to take on young people and Break Through will help to signpost these.”