Ablaze’s Employability & Skills Programme

An exciting opportunity for young people aged 16 to 25 living in South Gloucestershire. The programme will fully support you to access 1-2-1 mentoring, employability skills training, a two-week placement and networking events.

Designed to help you gain work experience, connect with peers, and discover career pathways and training opportunities open to you.

You are eligible to take part if:
– you are aged between 16 and 25
– you live in South Gloucestershire
– you are unemployed or on a zero hours contract
– you are not currently in education or training
– you are a UK resident or have Right to Work in the UK

More information about all 4 parts of the programme:

-Mentoring:
From the start of the programme, you will be matched with a mentor and arrange to meet with them on average once every two weeks. This mentorship will help you build your confidence and resilience, reflect on your learning and work with you to realise your goals and plan your next steps. This mentoring will be available to you throughout the whole programme and beyond, for a total of 6 months if you wish.

Employability Skills Workshops:
You will be required to join us for a series of 8 group workshops (2 a week) where we will support your wellbeing, help you to develop workplace skill and realise your career goals. All workshops will be in-person at a location in South Gloucestershire. Your travel to and from workshops will be paid for and lunch will also be provided.

Work Placement:
Once you have completed the workshops, you will then enrol onto a two-week work placement, Placements will be varied and located at local businesses in South Gloucestershire and Bristol. This will be a fantastic opportunity for you to experience the workplace and put your skills into practise. Your host manager will be trained to support you as best as they can. Placements can be part-time if this suits you better.

Networking:
Industry Days: During the workshops, you will attend 2-3 group visits to varied businesses in the local area to gain insight into different industries. You will receive a tour of the different workplaces and hear from employees about their job roles and career paths.

The next programme will begin in October, the workshops run over the course of 4 weeks and your work placement will then take place throughout two-weeks in November.

*This programme is part of the wider Engaging Potential Programme that is being delivered with South Gloucestershire Council, Works4Youth, Creative Youth Network and Learning Partnership West.

All workshops will be in-person at a location in Bristol

Applications for this round will open in September 2024.

• Cost: Free
• Eligibility: Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET), Refugee / Asylum seeker &/or Right to live and work in UK/ lived in UK 3 years, Resident of South Gloucestershire, Unemployed &/or claiming a benefit (e.g Universal Credit)
• Ages: 18-25