THE 16-24 Work Club Kingsbridge is celebrating training success as they help young people into employment or further education.

Sha Hard, 16–24 Work Club Kingsbridge coordinator, said: ‘It is such a joy and inspiring experience for our team being part of enabling local 16–24-year-old participants to gain success in the training they need to get into employment or into further training, further education or apprenticeships’.

16–24 Work Club Kingsbridge has been able to access funding for the courses via Careers South West for up to 19-year-olds and up to 24-year-olds via the local ‘Jack Tanner Fund’. Participants are supported during drop-in and outreach sessions to achieve their certifications.

The club has helped facilitate training and certification at various levels including Nationally Accredited and Recognised Health and Social Care Certifications, covering a wide range of relevant subjects from equality and diversity to dementia.

The 16–24 Work Club is an ASDAN Centre accredited to certificate the ‘Employability’ certificate which covers 12 topics including self-management, communication and team working, to applying for employment. The Employability Certificate is instrumental in getting participants ready to be part of a workforce.

Further courses being completed at present include the accredited Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and Bookkeeping Distance Learning Course, which is a longer course with mock and actual exams.

Another is the Construction Skills Certification Scheme Card, enabling participants to gain health and safety certification for those wanting to work on large construction sites. The 16-24 Work Club is assisting with practice tests and booking tests.

Sha continued: ‘It is important to the Work Club to ensure the courses are recognised as valid in the wide ranging relevant work sectors. The confidence boost has been tangible to see in the enabled participants to go on further towards their goals.’

If you are aged between 16–24, or know someone who is, and would like to look into local training, no strings or sanctions attached, enabled by a local charity ‘The 16 – 24 Work Club Kingsbridge, contact them via Facebook, email: [email protected] or call or text: 07864 060 652.

Drop-in sessions take place on Tuesdays between 1.30-3.30pm at the Age Concern building, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1DZ, next to Quay House.