European Social Fund (ESF) case study - Workforce Training Services - Get Connected 3
Get Connected is a programme provided by Workforce Training Services that targets young people aged 16 to 24 who are deemed NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and would like to enhance their employment opportunities. The project is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy.
Participant's story
After hearing about Get Connected at an event in his school, this participant was keen to join, so once he had completed school, he started the programme.
The participant does have some barriers to learning, but is a very social young man and makes friends easily. He quickly settled in well on the programme, made an excellent effort to attend and always gave 100 per cent in every session.
Training for Success programme
The participant originally secured a place on the Training for Success programme to study catering, but after a few weeks he decided that catering wasn’t for him and switched to joinery. He is now progressing very well in this area and has recently secured a placement.
Through the job coaching provided by the mentors on the Get Connected programme, the participant has also secured part time work. He says,
“I am very grateful for the support I received from the mentors on the Get Connected programme. They helped me to complete my application form for my job and went through interview skills with me. I really enjoyed the programme. I have made some great friends and I am looking forward to becoming a qualified joiner.”
He hopes to complete his Level 2 joinery, then progress onto an apprenticeship. Once he is fully qualified the participant hopes to travel while working as a joiner.