Futures at West Suffolk College

Employability and Traineeships - headed by Nick Stevens

Pathways to Employment For student’s aged19-24

6 week programme 2 days a week working on a Certificate employability skills Ideally for JCP claimants Based in local learning centres Running in Sudbury, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Thetford, Haverhill and Diss.

Traineeship programme based in Bury St Edmunds for students aged 16-24

5 weeks in class for 3 days a week  concentrating on English, maths and employability

8 weeks in a work placement for 4 days a week and a further day in College doing English and maths

The course will work closely with the Apprenticeship Team at West Suffolk College. It is expected that students will progress onto an apprenticeship at the end of the 13 weeks.

Proactive Education - headed by Ola Anderson

Prince’s Trust TEAM

Prince’s Trust TEAM is a 12 – week course with multiple start dates in September, January and May each year. You will need to complete an application form, attend an interview and a taster day the week before course start dates from 10am – 2pm at the college. The Prince’s Trust TEAM is a programme focusing on team building and community projects. Working with new people and completing a number of practical activities you will choose with your fellow team members, along with skills and qualities you would like to improve including confidence and communication that are key to your future in the world of employment and education.

Qualification Assessments/Functional Skills Maths and English

Throughout the course there will be continuous assessment and portfolio building to achieve the main Certificate in Employment, Teamwork and Community Skills qualification at level 1 or 2. As part of this course you will have the opportunity to develop your functional skills in English and maths via assessments within the course induction week, leading to working on areas identified for improvement.

Entry Requirements

You must be aged 16 -25 and unemployed. No formal qualifications are necessary, although an interview is essential to identifying individual needs and the appropriateness of the course, plus successful completion of a taster day where you can demonstrate your commitment to developing your skills set towards further education, traineeships, apprenticeships, employment and training. The programme is free and will not affect Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Access to Education

(A2E) is a yearlong course which commences in September and leads to a Diploma in Progression Level 1 qualification. There are no entry requirements, but you should be able to demonstrate you are committed to returning to full time education at your interview and candidate taster days. You will study a combination of personal development and study skill units including social enterprise, research, cuisine, healthy living, leisure and recreation required for further education along with opportunities to trial some of our vocational subjects and learn new skills that are available in the College. Progression is usually into full time Level 1 or 2 courses in vocational subjects.

Qualification Assessments/Functional Skills Maths and English

Throughout the course there will be continuous assessment and portfolio building to achieve the main Diploma in Progression qualification. As part of this course you will develop your functional skills in English and maths. You will be assessed during taster days and at the start of the course leading to being entered for the appropriate exam level for both subjects.

Entry Requirements

No formal qualifications are necessary, although an interview is essential to identify individual needs and the appropriateness of the course, plus successful completion of a taster day where you can demonstrate your commitment to returning to full time education.Understandably you may be nervous at the prospect of entering a classroom again, but this course will build your confidence and open many doors to further study and work.

STEP 2: this is a full time course that commences in November and will lead to a Level 2 Diploma in Progression. This course is ideal for young people who have achieved some GCSE grades and would like to progress onto vocational and Higher Education courses. You will study a combination of personal development and study skill units including social enterprise, research, healthy living and IT required for further and higher education along with opportunities to trial some vocational subjects and learn new skills that are available in the College, ensuring progression into full time vocational level 2 or 3 courses.

Qualification Assessments/Functional Skills Maths and English

Throughout the course there will be continuous assessment and portfolio building to achieve the main Diploma in Progression qualification. Studying on the STEP2 programme will assist you with developing your Maths and English, leading to subsequent level 1 or 2 Functional Skills qualifications. You will be assessed within the interview process and at the start of the course, leading to being entered for the appropriate exam level for both subjects.To pass your functional skills you be required to sit timed exams.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 2 GCSEs at C or above or equivalent qualifications. Places are limited so all applicants are requested to complete an application form. These can be accessed from the college website or from main reception at college.

Positive Futures - headed by Phil Green

Positive Futures is a tailor - made programme designed to suit the needs of young people not in Education, Employment or Training aged between 14 - 18 yrs as well as those with a long term disability, health problem or any learning difficulties aged between 19 - 24 yrs old. Positive Futures offers community based delivery in and around Bury St Edmunds (Haverhill, Sudbury, Newmarket, Stowmarket etc) with a minimum of 12 days of group learning over 6 weeks and intensive one to one support thereafter to ensure continued progression.

Programmes start from mid-October

Youth Contract My Generation Next Fast Forward

You can:

Receive 1:1 Information, advice and guidance and support both during and after completion to ensure positive progression

Meet other young people your age Participate in fun practical activities in small groups Build your confidence Improve your communication skills Develop a positive routine and increase your motivation Be supported to self-reflect on your personal skills and qualities working towards CV/

personal statement writing and interview skills

Progression Routes:

Full time and Part time courses such as Access to Education Prince’s Trust TEAM Programme Employability Courses such as Pathways to Employment

Voluntary work Traineeships

There will be combined taster days for;

Pathways to EmploymentTraineeshipsAccess to EducationStep 2MGN

Taster days will be held on 1st & 2nd September 2014 at West Suffolk College from 9:30am till 3pm (meeting in The Gateway building). Young people will need to attend one of the taster days.

We request that young people that have evidence of their prior qualification attainment including certificates bring them to taster days to support our initial assessment process leading to enrolment onto suitable courses.

For more information or to book a place for a taster day contact:

Employability & Traineeships - Nick Stevens nick.stevens@wsc.ac.uk 01284 716562

ProAcvtive ED - Ola Anderson ola.anderson@wsc.ac.uk 01284 716576

Positive Future - Phil Green philip.green@wsc.ac.uk 01284 716560