Helping you back to work

YMCA Training provides courses that will give you the skills and confidence you need to get back to employment.

We offer a whole range of courses, so whether you need advice on writing your CV, some up to date work experience or help with your English and Maths skills we can help.

We work in partnership with the Jobcentre Plus to get you the training you need in order to succeed.

What we offer

All of our courses will get you some up to date work experience which you'll be able to include on your CV. It may also result in getting a reference from an employer that you can add to your CV too.

All courses will also include job search skills sessions, which cover areas such as how to write a good CV and interview tips. The sessions will also support you through the process of applying for jobs

We provide the following courses to support people with their job hunting:

• 26 week basic employability skills programme including literacy, numeracy or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) units
• 13 week courses focused on work experience and job search skills
• Six or 13 week occupationally focused courses, to equip you for a job in areas such as Business Administration or Construction
• Two week occupationally focused 'Gateway' programmes, to assist entry into areas such as Customer Service and Hospitality
• A two week 'Gateway to Work' programme, which is a dynamic course preparing individuals for employment.

As part of these courses there is also the opportunity to complete one day and short courses, including first aid, health & safety, CLAIT and fork-lift training that will give you a further edge in the job market.

Flexible New Deal

YMCA Training has been delivering Flexible New Deal (FND) since 2009.

FND is designed to help people who have been out of the workplace for a substantial amount of time develop new skills, benefit from the experience of work placements and, ultimately, find a job.

FND is a Government initiative managed on behalf of JobCentre Plus by a number of main contractors.  With over 30 years’ experience in delivering programmes to help unemployed people back to work, YMCA Training works as a subcontractor to these main contractors, delivering FND provision in a variety of locations throughout England including Kent, North Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire.

At YMCA Training we provide a safe and supportive environment for our participants, and treat each person as an individual.  We develop a personlised action plan for every participant and, drawing upon our substantial experience in delivering programmes for the unemployed, we have devised a “pick and mix” programme of modules designed to be tailored to each person’s needs.

We have been delivering as a sub-contractor since October 2009 and initial feedback on our FND provision has been very positive – we have received 96% positive feedback on how interesting and relevant the training is.

So far we have helped over 150 unemployed adults find sustainable employment – a figure which is growing week by week.

For more information on our FND provision please contact a.seaborne@ymcatraining.org.uk

Future Jobs Fund (FJF)

YMCA Training has been successful in their bid to support the delivery of the future job fund programme across the country creating part-time jobs for young people who have been unemployed for some time, working with a wide range of employers .

The FJF jobs will be aimed at 18-24 year olds who have been claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) for approaching 12 months or more.  These newly created jobs will benefit the local community so could be within a range of sectors including
· social enterprises;
· sports;
· “green” jobs – eg leading to waste reduction;
· cultural sectors including the arts, media, travel and tourism

All FJF jobs last for 26 weeks.  Participants and Employers are supported by an Employment Coach throughout the length of the programme; our Coaches support the participant (along with their employer/supervisor) to engage in an induction programme to promote the  development of a personal development plan that supports the training of any identified skills gaps within their individual jobs.  Training is externally accredited if appropriate. Supported is provided to help participants progress to permanent employment. 

YMCA Training will pay all participants the national minimum wage and national insurance (a maximum of 25 hours per week) for 26 weeks.

For more information about YMCA Training’s FJF opportunities please contact fjf@ymcatraining.org.uk

What's next?

If you think one of these courses could help you get back to work and you would like to know more, contact your local Jobcentre Plus. They will be able to tell you whether you are eligible to enrol on a course and whether YMCA Training is running any of these courses in your local area. If so, your Jobcentre can then refer you onto your local YMCA Training centre.