Pictured above: PPDG and Acclaim Driving School staff
with the young learners
A group of young West Midlands job seekers are firmly in the
driving seat after earning free lessons through an innovative
scheme which offers teenagers help on the road to securing
work.
A group of 18 Foundation Learners in Nuneaton, who have enrolled
on the scheme through Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG),
have been given dozens of free driving lessons after overcoming
barriers to achieve their goals.
With the help of employment and training experts PPDG, members
of the group have gained qualifications which have improved their
chances of securing work or an apprenticeship scheme.
Foundation Learning takes an innovative approach to encourage
young people to improve their qualifications which will make them
more likely to gain employment despite the tough economic climate.
To reward their determination and hard work, the scheme offers them
the opportunity to have up to 10 free driving lessons delivered
locally by Acclaim Driving School.
Chrissie Dunham-Grant, team leader at PPDG's Nuneaton office,
said; "They have all done brilliantly in achieving qualifications
to enable them to earn these free driving lessons and they are all
excited about the possibility of learning to drive.
"One of the Foundation Learners has, however, declined lessons
as he has already secured work and has asked for a bicycle instead
so he can cycle in to work to keep fit. It is a fantastic incentive
for them as they try to gain qualifications and improve their
chances of securing employment."
Delivered by employment and training experts PPDG, the
initiative is already achieving excellent results with young people
gaining important qualifications and securing sustainable jobs.
Foundation Learning opportunities are available to 16 to
18-year-olds who have the chance to take part in a range of
activities and gain qualifications.
The qualifications are offered in bite-size chunks, with reward
and recognition events to help keep them inspired and motivated.
Some of the qualifications are delivered through sport and
music.
She added: "Foundation Learning is a tailored approach to the
needs of young people to help them into employment. It is an entry
level, to level one, programme which offers personalized and
flexible learning opportunities in vocational, personal and social
development and functional skills. It gives each learner an
individualized learner journey which will support them into a range
of destinations which can be employment, apprenticeships and level
two qualifications. It has proved to be a great success since PPDG
adopted the initiative last year."
PPDG's team of employment experts provides advice on benefits,
confidence building, one-to-one support, CV and interview
preparation as well as finding the right job or training course. In
partnership with DWP, the Ministry of Justice and Jobcentre Plus,
PPDG delivers a diverse range of employment and training
initiatives and many ESF funded programmes. PPDG came fourth in The
Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For 2011.
For more information about Pertemps People Development Group,
please visit their website here: www.ppdg.co.uk