Eight young people have completed a five-week employability skills course run by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Work and Skills Team with the Jobcentre Plus Youth Hub in Porth and The King’s Trust.
The participants were already being supported by the Work and Skills team and were nominated for the course to help address barriers to employment including low confidence, isolation and uncertainty about future careers.
Over the five weeks they took part in group discussions and mock interviews. Each visited The King’s Trust in Cardiff to learn about support available from the charity, meet staff and practise independent travel. Actor Idris Elba and music producer Naughty Boy are among those whose careers were launched following support from The King’s Trust, the council said.
Six of the eight participants have signed up for further support. Another participant, Cameron, landed a job weeks after completing the course and said the boost in confidence he secured there helped him land his new role.
Cllr Scott Emanuel, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Leisure, said: “What an incredible opportunity and confidence boost for the young job seekers we are supporting.
“The King’s Trust has helped to launch the careers of many young people and I am so pleased so many of the group have signed up for additional support – I wish each of them the very best of luck and cannot wait to hear how they are getting on.
“Our Work and Skills team is here for anyone aged 16 and over who needs support towards employment. This can be with practical skills such as interview techniques and CV workshops, additional training and qualifications to add to their CV or land their dream role or upskilling while in their role. It’s free, its easy to access and there is loads on offer.”
A spokesperson from The King’s Trust Cardiff Centre said: “We thoroughly enjoyed having a group of young people join us at The King’s Trust Centre in Cardiff. We found this successful for recruiting young people onto our programmes, with several signing up for our Explore programme. It was also beneficial in removing the initial barrier of travelling to our centre for the first time.”
Kathy, Youth Work Coach at Porth Jobcentre Plus, said: “The RCT Work & Skills Team have been amazing, with fantastic results. We have had regular updates throughout the programme, and it has been wonderful to see the difference this course has made to our customers. A great example of partnership working.”
The Work and Skills team supports anyone aged 16 and over towards employment. People supporting an RCT resident aged 16 or over who could benefit can contact [email protected].
