I am researching a 40 hr programme of training designed to prepare young people (16-24 yrs), mainly slow learners, for employment. Can anyone share some advice regarding researching needs and particular delivery considerations specific to an audience like this?
Patricia Kyle
4 Responses
Ask the Experts
I would strongly recommended seeking out agencies within your area that already work with this client group, and see what kind of provision they think is needed. Perhaps your local Council for Voluntary Service / Volunteer Bureau can help with this.
If your group have learning difficulties, I would suggest using a lot of visual and auditory props to aid memory recall: lots of colour, pictures, video etc and make sure the training allows for plenty of practical work to enable them to practise their skills under supervision before they go out into the world of employment. Bear in mind that you may be working with people with a very short attention span, so a series of short exercises may be more effective than a few long ones, and include plenty of variety in delivery methods.
Perhaps you could also arrange for some post-training support, either by giving students a workbook to work through then take away as a resource, or identifying a support worker or support agencies (such as Connexions – you should have a local branch) who can help them with the practicalities of job-seeking.
Young Learners
Hi. I have a small contract with a client in Blackpool. They train scores of young people under the New deal Gateway to Work and Access programmes. Your local job centre should have some good signposting information. I run several programmes with my group including a look at equality and diversity from an overarching perspective and then with this client group. We equality proof and impact statement various employment,training and customer care situations they are likely to encounter.
Your job centre should be really helpful
William
Training young people
Hi Patricia,
Your local college should also be a good source of information as they work extensively with these groups.
Contact the Basic Skills Co-ordinator/Section Leader or the New Deal Co-ordinator.
John
Confidence Building
Patricia
Your main task in delivering to this group is confidence-building. You need to rapidly gain their acceptance and trust, then begin to build their confidence. This can be done in a number of ways, as suggested by other respondents. Keep sessions short with a lot of interaction. Build fun into the sessions. One exercise that I used to deliver was inviting the group to come up with a list of how to find work. There are no rules and no restrictions (a brainstorming exercise). The best that we ever did was about 130. The moral of the exercise is that most people use just one method. The more methods that you use, the better the chance of finding a job. You don’t need answers, but if you would like a copy of the list (if I can find it) please email me off-list (tony@arystotle.co.uk)
Tony Stringer