More than 25 school leavers from secondary schools across Caerphilly county borough attended an awards ceremony recently to celebrate their achievements in completing a Work Based Learning Programme.
Young people from the county borough’s 14 secondary schools took part in the project, who after completing their compulsory education were still unsure of their next steps.
As part of the PREVENT KS4 Project, learning coaches from Caerphilly County Borough Council’s 14-19 Learning Unit, together with Careers Wales, mentored the young people and identified with them a number of possible career pathways they could consider.
To equip the young people with the skills to assist with their transition into the workplace, ‘Educ8 Training’ provided two Work Based Learning Programmes, which involved a range of learning activities, both practical and theory based, aimed at developing student’s communications skills, confidence and self esteem.
As part of this programme, the pupils all achieved a range of work related formal qualifications, recognised by employers nationally.
Many of the pupils also successfully completed seven-day work placements with local employers including D&E Motors in Blackwood, Pizza Hut, Halfords, Groundwork Caerphilly, The Court House in Caerphilly, Hendredenny Primary School and the Sport Caerphilly, IT and Parks Services Departments at Caerphilly County Borough Council.
The pupils showed exemplary attendance and punctuality and took the opportunity to put their qualifications into action through applying and developing their skills.
Cllr Phil Bevan, Cabinet Member for Education and Leisure said, “Programmes such as this are excellent in that they provide guidance and mentoring to those young people who still are unsure of their next steps or are still undecided as to their chosen careers.”
He continued, “In addition to providing time in the workplace in the form of a work placement, the young people were also able to further develop skills such as communication and working with others through practical and theory based learning”.
A number of local employers including the fire service, hospitality and leisure sector, Voice FM, a solicitor and environmental and charitable trusts came along to show their support at the students’ awards ceremony at the New Cottage Dance Centre recently.
