- Eat That Frog CIC
Young adults and adults in Newton Abbot and Exeter are overcoming barriers by benefitting from employability focused training courses provided by Eat That Frog.
Your Path, Your Future is for individuals aged 16 to 24 and helps to strengthen life skills, boost confidence and help start planning for the future. The short course lasts for three weeks and comprises of working with a mentor to look at developing literacy skills including creating a CV, reading job adverts online, completing applications forms and reading for real life skills. Numeracy skills focus on budgeting and a transition to employment.
Stepping Stones helps individuals that are facing challenges like unemployment, low confidence or health issues to build confidence, strengthen essential skills and explore new opportunities. The course lasts for three weeks and covers literary skills, numeracy skills and digital skills. Digital skills covered include feeling safe online, how to send appropriate emails, creating an appropriate email to complete job searching and how to register for an online job search.
RS’s story
A learner identified as ‘RS,’ came to Eat That Frog CIC feeling uncertain about their future after college did not work out for them. This left them feeling lost with low confidence and limited understanding of what options were available. They wanted to regain direction and develop the skills needed to move forward into work or further learning.
RS joined the Essential Skills programme and received personalised support that focused on confidence employability and progression planning. Staff supported RS to create a strong CV and build cover letter writing skills that clearly reflected their abilities. RS was then guided through the process of applying for a local work experience role and completed a mock interview which although nerve wracking played a key role in building resilience and self-belief. Eat That Frog CIC also supported RS to secure an appointment with Learn Devon to explore further learning and work towards achieving a GCSE Grade 4.
The programme had a clear and positive impact on RS’s confidence motivation and readiness for next steps. RS now feels more capable of presenting themselves to employers and education providers and has developed the skills needed to actively pursue opportunities. The increase in confidence has enabled RS to identify a clear career interest in Business and take practical steps towards securing an apprenticeship.
Reflecting on their experience RS said: “The programme has been very helpful with boosting my confidence maths skills and interview skills.”
Both courses are based on practical skills that can help those attending get closer to the labour market. Learners can be referred to an Eat That Frog course through several methods. Individuals can self-refer via a form on the website, by phoning or by dropping into the session. Referrals can come from the job centre or from support workers who typically refer those in supported accommodation. Mentors often refer learners onto Learn Devon.
Approximately 20 learners have attended Your Path, Your Future and Stepping Stones in the last four months, each supported by a mentor offering personalised, one-to-one support. Holding group sessions allow learners to be supported in a peer-driven space which helps to build confidence, and communication and work-readiness skills.
To read about other courses available with Eat That Frog you can visit their website.
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.