Successful pilot of Maths and English for Employment Course
Employment programmes should involve more than just job searching but focus more on improving potential employees’ skills, according to speakers at a recent “Association of Employment and Learning Providers” National Conference.
In particular, evidence shows that low English and Maths skills really hamper the likelihood of a person finding the kind of job they really want, succeeding in keeping it, or even getting promoted.
Earlier this month, training charity The Learning Curve partnered with Working Links to develop and pilot a new course called ‘It’s all about MEE Maths and English for Employment, designed to give jobseekers the skills, qualifications and confidence they need to take the next step on the career ladder.
On the final day of the course on 11th July 2014, Luke Pollard, Labour party prospective candidate for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport came to hear about learners experiences.
He says “I was greatly impressed by the positive impact the course made; people gained a range of new skills that most employers will expect but as importantly new found confidence”.
Accompanying Luke Pollard was City Councillor Chaz Singh who also said “the learners all tell how they grown in confidence in their ability to write outstanding applications and impress employers at interview”.
Barbara Kemp was one of the learners who was singled out for special praise. As she explained, “I feel a different person now, I’ve made really good friends and learnt things I always thought were too difficult for me”.
Sam Kellond, Working Links advisor said: "Congratulations on taking your first steps in changing your life and creating new future opportunities for yourselves and your families – Well done from Working Links."
The Learning Curve’s course tutor, Karen Dewdney explains what’s different about the MEE programme: “Functional skills qualifications have recently been developed and to be welcomed as they are practical and meet everyday situations.
"The problem is that a lot of us get turned off English or Maths when at younger and are very reluctant to have second go at mastering these subjects. So at The Learning Curve, we have tried to do three things: make learning English enjoyable, focus on typical areas that people find daunting, such as speaking in a group, or pitching an idea through a presentation and finally personalising the course around the particular employment interests that each learner has”.
The next “It’s all about MEE” course starts on 21 July and runs for three weeks.
Sessions will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9.30am-2.30pm at The Learning Curve, 38-40 Malborough Street, Plymouth, PL1 4AH.
For more information and to book, contact Hayley at The Learning Curve on 01752 568131 or speak to your Jobcentre Plus adviser.
