COURSE FINDER

LEVEL 1 SKILLS FOR WORK

This is a entry level course if you have few or no qualifications and are not in employment.  You will get a good introduction to your subject area as well as qualifications in English, Maths and IT.  You will get £40 a week through EMA.  When you finish this course you can move on to a level 2 course.

 

 

LEVEL 1 SKILLS FOR YOUR LIFE

This course addresses personal and development needs to enable you to gain the necessary skills to move on to a further Training for Success course or employment.

 

 

LEVEL 2 PROGRAMME LED APPRENTICESHIP

This course is ideal if you have some formal qualifications but are currently unemployed and want more practical rather than academic training. You are guaranteed £40 per week.

   

 

 

 

LEVEL 2 APPRENTICESHIP 

You must be employed to gain entry onto this course and have some formal qualifications. Your week is split betweenworking and attending the College. You will be paid by your employer.  

 

LEVEL 3 APPRENTICESHIP

You must be employed and have successfully achieved the Level 2 course. Your week is split between working and attending the College. You are paid by your employer. After completing the Level 3 Apprenticeship, you can progress onto part-time professional development courses within your chosen industry area.

STEPS TO WORK (STW)

 

 What is Steps to Work?

 

Steps to Work (StW) is a new and fresh approach to helping you find work. It offers a flexible menu of work related activities that can be tailored to suit your employment needs.  When taking part in Steps to Work you will be allocated an Adviser who will provide support and guidance to help you decide which opportunities best suit you.

 

Who is eligible?

Anyone over 18 years old (or lone parents aged 16 years old or over) who is not working (or working less than 16 hours each week). You will be able to participate in StW if you are claiming benefit or if you are not working and not claiming benefit.  We are contracted to serve clients who are living in the North Down and Ards area.

 

 What are the Benefits of Steps to Work?

 

• Personalised advice and guidance to help you make the right choices
• Help to find and remain in work
• You can re-train while remaining on benefit plus receive a weekly Training Bonus
• Opportunity to gain recognised qualifications
• Opportunity to improve existing skills
• Opportunities for work experience

 

How is Steps to Work Delivered?

Steps to Work is delivered in a ‘3 step’ process.

 

Step One

Step One offers anyone who is nearly ready for work:

Ongoing one-to-one support and guidance from an Adviser aimed at helping you to find work as soon as possible. 

A range of short courses that can help you develop your confidence and motivation, improve your jobsearch skills and `accredited' courses, that can help you find work.

 

Step Two

Step Two offers a wider range of longer term support if you need more help to find work. Your Adviser can put together a package of support to best meet your training and work experience needs and the needs of employers. Step Two can last from 3 weeks to 52 weeks depending on what you are doing. While you are on Step Two you will receive £15.38 per week in addition to any other benefits which you are entitled to.

 

Step Three

 
Step Three provides additional support and advice from your Adviser for up to 6 weeks  to help you find a job.  This Step can include to access to Short Accredited courses if not already accessed on Step 1.

 

How do I find out more information about Steps to Work at SERC

 

Call 0845 600 7555 or email info@serc.ac.uk

 

SECURING AN EMPLOYER

 

To gain entry to the Level 2 or 3 Apprenticeship programme, you must have an employer. The responsibility for securing an employer lies with you. This can be a daunting task for anyone, and so below is some advice on how to secure employment before attending College in September.

 

Once you have decided upon your course of study, you should seek an employer as early as possible, certainly before September. You must also complete an Application Form for your chosen course and send it in to the College. Please contact our Training Support Team to discuss your options.

 

Contact as many potential employers as possible by telephone, e-mail or in writing, making sure that you explain clearly why you are contacting them.

 

Research and prepare before contacting employers:

 

• Get a list of possible employers from The telephone book, www.yell.co.uk, www.4ni.co.uk
• Write down why you are interested in working for them
• Have information about your chosen course at hand
• Prepare a CV - one A4 side of paper outlining your education, any part-time jobs or alternative experience (voluntary, etc), and why you want to work in that particular industry
• Contact any family or friends who could help you

If you need help deciding on your career or help with any of the above, contact our Training Support Team on 0845 600 7555 quoting the Campus of choice.

 

What level can be achieved	Entry Requirements
Level 3 Apprenticeship	Current employment   Successfully completed the Level 2 course
Level 2 Programme Led Apprenticeship Apprenticeship	Are currently unemployed Have some formal qualifications Currently Employed Some formal qualifications
Level 1 Skills for Work Skills for Your Life	Unemployed, no or few qualifications Unemployed, no or few qualifications