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In January 2006, we started an innovative pilot project funded through the European Social Fund. This project (Pembrokeshire Opportunities Initiative) provides a ‘second chance in learning’ and job skill training for 14-19 year olds, who have been excluded from mainstream school, who are at risk of being excluded or at risk of offending and for those who have left school with no qualification or low job prospects.

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Categories

  • Education/Training/Employment Education/​Training/​Employment
  • Beneficiaries

    • Young People (18-30) Young People (18-30)

    Situation

    POPPI provides opportunities for 150 disadvantaged young people and also 25 volunteers. Volunteers live locally and will normally seek work experience at the Tanyard in order to equip them with the skills to find paid work. All beneficiaries will achieve a qualification by the end of the project. Referrals are made from the local secondary school and the Careers Service. Besides this, young people can attend voluntary on specific evenings. Inclusively, we already have 173 young people signed up to ‘get a qualification’. Feedback from the local school has been positive on the impact of this service. We aim to meet the needs of the individual in order for them to achieve their aims in life and to foster self worth. Engaging disengaged young people, we feel is of national importance and this project will highlight strategies and model best practice in a form of a publication and consultancy to provide workshop training to other organisations initially in Pembrokeshire and across Wales. Accredited learning for the POPPI programme includes: GSCE, Entry Level, Entry Level 1 & 2, Sports Leadership, Duke of Edinburgh, Asdan Bronze and Silver Awards, Asdan Cope Awards, Youth Achievement Awards, PTxl Asdan Awards, OCN Youth Work and Senior Member Training. The primary function of the project is to provide a safe and stimulating environment that is easily accessible. Through a diverse range of activities that are planned around the individual needs of these youngsters. All tasks set are achievable and as a result of this young people are accredited for their efforts. We use nationally recognised qualifications from Entry Level to Level 2. This in turn allows the young people to maintain a level footing with their peers. Young people have the opportunity to: • participate with adults and peers to foster positive interpersonal relationships • access informal learning to provide communication and confidence in taking on challenges • routes to achievement through improving basic literacy and numeracy skills • develop their tolerance and understanding for others • raise the profile of young people as valuable contributors to community life • information and support that they can rely on to develop identity and to foster their prospects locally or within the community. These are the vital skills developed as part of this project and will impact on their potential by having the opportunity to contribute to the wider community and has made a difference to how they will progress into adult life. Besides this, young people experience an increase in self esteem, confidence, and a sense of self worth. They gain new skills and qualifications and feel involved in the decision making process that affects their communities, lives and local issues.

    Solution

    100%
    Categories

  • Education/Training/Employment Education/​Training/​Employment
  • Beneficiaries

    • Young People (18-30) Young People (18-30)