EBC's Bridging the Gap Through Technology with WNF

EBC is now delivering its latest project for adults - Essential Steps to Employability - thanks to funding from Sunderland City Council's Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF).  It is one of the many projects being runn under the city's Just the Job initiative, designed to get people back into work.

One of the programmes being delivered through Essential Steps to Employability is Bridging the Gap Through Technology, a series of workshops designed to build up participants' ICT skills through a range of activities designed to introduce them to the most common kinds of software used in both the workplace and in leisure time.

Bridging the Gap Through Technology offers up to 18 workshops - each three hours long - broken into five components (or series of workshops), each looking at the practical use of different software packages - Word, Publisher and Powerpoint.  Each group of workshops shows those taking part how the software can be used to promote themselves and their skills.     Whilst the workshops are all three hours in length they can be run consecutively i.e. two on the same day, several in one week or over a period of weeks.

Participants can 'dip in and dip out' of the workshops if they already have some skills in one of the software packages. 

An initial one-to-one Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) session is held to establish participants' baseline skills and abilities and to make sure they get started at the right level. Each of the five components is self contained - so participants can complete one, two or all of them. 

Bridging the Gap Through Technology also sees participants gaining skills in using a video camera and media editing equipment to create their own DVD CV.  

Below is a list the different components, or workshops, on offer through Bridging the Gap Through Technology.

I’ve got skills that count - two workshops introducing the Word Software package

Designed to support participants to carry out their own skills audit and to introduce them to basic computing skills to support creation of an electronic CV.

I’m a Star workshops - six workshops introducing the Publisher software package

Participants are introduced to Publisher software through the creation of their own front page CV, developing both their general employability skills (communication, task management, time management, asking for help, working independently, etc) and ICT skills.

My presentation is.....  - three workshops introducing the Powerpoint software package

Workshops which focus on building up participants skills in Powerpoint, through the creation of a presentation on themselves – just as they might be required to do in a job interview experience.

I’m on the big screen - four workshops introducing basic filming and editing skills

A world of jobs on the web - three workshops introducing on-line job applications and research

Designed to introduce participants to the process of researching employment opportunities using the internet, including development of skills in the completion of online job applications.

As Bridging the Gap Through Technology approaches the final workshop EBC will liaise with the core Working Neighbourhoods Fund employment service providers such as Job Linkage, who will be invited along to meet up with beneficiaries and discuss with them their next steps.

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Partnerships in Action

EBC is working with a number of key partners to make sure we offer the activities being delivered under Essential Steps to Employability to those most at need of our support and help. 

These include:

• Stonham Housing - The UK's largest provider of supported accommodation for social excluded and vulnerable people and their families.  
• North East Disability Resource Centre - A specialist provider of day care support for adults with cerebral palsy and similar disabilities.
• Riverside Consulting CiC - An organisation that works with ex-offenders to support them back into the labour market, education or trainig through its links with public and voluntary sector organisations.
• The Salvation Army - An international faith based organisation dedicated to tackling poverty and social injustice.
• South Hylton Tansy Centre - Since it opened for business in 2008 it has become a magnet for courses and programmes designed to meet the need of those at risk of social exclusion.
• NECA - North East Council on Addictions - which delivers effective interventions on drugs, alcohol, mental health, gambling to adults and young people.
• NERAF - North East Regional Alcohol Forum - an independent peer support charity established to provide long term aftercare and support to those affected by alcohol misuse.
• Norcare - which provides a range of support services and accommodation for people aged 16 and over who are currently socially and economically excluded.

Essential Steps to Employability sees EBC continuing to work with a wide range of unemployed people who need help to rebuild their confidence and self belief as well as support in developing the kind of skills that employers in the 21st Century want in their employees.  In particular Essential Steps to Employability sees EBC working with:

• Homeless people
• People with alcohol misuse issues
• People with disabilities

  People aged 16 and over who are currently socially and economically excluded. 

The essential skills for employability

Essential Steps to Employabilty offers a number of innovative, practical and interactive programmes and activities designed to build up key employability skills needed by everyone - whether they are in work, looking for work or just taking their next steps to finding work. 

These skills are recognised by both leading employer groups and the Learning and Skills Council as essential for anyone either wanting to enter the workplace or already employed.  They include:

• Punctuality
• Respecting others and valuing their contributions
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Adaptability and willingness to learn new skills
• Team work and ability to ask for help when needed
• Creative thinking and problem solving
• Ability to take responsibility and to show initiative

To get an overview of all our work with adults click here

EBC specialises in designing bespoke programmes to meet individual organisations' needs and those of the clients they work with. If you cannot find the programme you're looking for please contact us to discuss your specific needs.

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Phone: (0191) 516 6411  Fax: (0191) 516 6412.

Email: info@ebcltd.org.uk  Alternative email: educationbusiness@hotmail.com