CXK is appealing for young adults to join its next Prince’s Trust Team Programme in Dartford; a scheme designed to help unemployed young adults in the local area to gain skills and find work, apprenticeships or return to education.
The 12 week programme begins on 12th November and is open to anyone in the local area aged 16-25 and not in education, employment or training (NEET). Places are limited, so any interested young adults should get in touch, and come down to meet the team in Dartford to find out more!
Participants benefit from a personal development programme designed to help them uncover their hidden talents and improve their confidence, as well as gaining a nationally recognised qualification and developing their English and Maths skills. The programme is completely free of charge, and won’t affect participants’ Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit.
The programme begins with team-building activities, which involves the participants spending a week at a residential activity centre taking part in activities such as canoeing, climbing, and raft-building. The young adults go on to become involved in delivering community projects, as well as working on their interview, presentation and job application skills. Finally, they benefit from individual work placements tailored to their career of interest.
Having successfully completed the programme, all participating young adults gain a nationally recognised qualification in Employability, Teamwork and Community Skills. Three out of four young adults who take part in the programme go on to work or college courses within three months.
Olivia, 20 and from Dartford, is just one of the many young adults for whom CXK’s vocational work placement programmes have led to positive outcomes; “Before I started Prince’s Trust I had just dropped out of college and I wasn’t in a very good place. I was very down all of the time and barely left the house, I didn’t feel like my life had any purpose.
“My journey through the Prince’s Trust Team programme was the best thing I have ever experienced, I started to feel like I had a purpose. I didn’t feel so alone because there were so many people around me going through the same thing. I had no confidence to meet new people or try new things, but I gradually started the gain the confidence and was able to push myself.
“After the programme I went back to college and got my entry level 3 Maths, employability skills and first aid training. I’m now completing an apprenticeship with a charity that supports people with learning disabilities and mental health issues get into employment or a volunteering placement.
“I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that was given to me. It changed my life.”
For further information on the programme, including how to apply, contact: lauracharter@cxk.org; 01233 224244 / 07843 287787, or visit cxk.org.