South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has announced that they are to introduce a ‘Job Bootcamp’ to help individuals secure employment in these tough economic times. The intensive programme is targeted to those who have plenty of experience but are caught short in terms of qualifications including English and Maths.
The inspiration behind the “Job Bootcamp” is a desire to provide practical support for those who have been made unemployed during the economic downturn. The programme is designed to equip participants with a qualification equivalent to 5 GCSEs, the basic requirement for many jobs, and with an additional focus on English, Maths and ICT.
Participants will study 15 hours per week to avoid any negative impact on their benefits over a period of 15 weeks. It is free and will run in the Bangor, Downpatrick and Lisburn campuses from 19th April.
Individuals will have flexibility in their studies in that they may choose between English, Maths and ICT with the aim of achieving a GCSE grade C equivalent. They will also have the opportunity to study towards a business qualification which will be equivalent to 4 GCSEs.
Bill McGinnis, Northern Ireland Adviser on Employment and Skills has welcomed the move saying:“Improving our economy relies on assisting people back into work. The evidence is clear that increased skills will ensure improved prospects of employment and the likelihood of higher wages. This is an important initiative in providing the essential skills to secure, and progress in, employment. I commend SERC for their efforts and would encourage you to sign up for the programme.”
Ken Webb, Principal and Chief Executive explains the idea: “This programme is unique in that it is focused on getting people the basics to get a foot in the door at interviews. We have found that many people are being made unemployed but have a great deal of experience and the self-motivation to get back to work quickly. The lack of qualifications, either an overall package of 5 GCSEs or just in English or Maths, is holding them back. We are keen to help these people get to the interview stage where their experience will stand them in good stead.
“We recognise that this is an intensive programme but we believe that there are self-motivated individuals who will successfully achieve on it. We have already seen an interest from our customers in this type of programme and we are only too pleased to offer the opportunity. SERC is committed to contributing to economic prosperity and feel that programmes targeted towards specific groups like this is the way forward.”
South Eastern Regional College introduced the Rapid Response Programme last January in response to the economic downturn. This programme has since been extended across Northern Ireland through the whole Further Education sector to work with businesses. However SERC has introduced the Job Bootcamp to directly target individuals to support the work which is continuing with businesses. This two pronged approach is designed to ensure that the College fulfils it role in relation to supporting the economy and delivering on the Programme for Government.
Click SERC Job Bootcamp or call 0845 600 7555 to sign up.