Are you worried that your CV or Application Form isn't showing employers that you're the ideal candidate?
In this blog we explain how our employment support programme can help you feel confident you're showcasing all your relevant skills, experience, and knowledge to secure your desired job.
If you're new to job seeking, or haven't had to do it for a while, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
In a world where the majority of job applications are submitted online and numerous candidates competing for the same position, how can you stand out to potential employers?
This is where employment readiness support is invaluable. It can help people to feel confident with the process of finding work, and reaching their employment goals.
But what is it? Who is it for? and How can it help?
Foundation 4 Work (delivered by the Foundations Furniture charity) takes you through the answers...
What is job/employment readiness training?
Job readiness training is your stepping stone to employment success. It helps by giving you the skills to confidently explore job opportunities, apply for roles, and shine in interviews.
It's more than just training, it's a great tool for personal growth too. People leave the programme feeling more confident, they understand their career aspirations much better, and they have an action plan on how to achieve their goals.
What does it involve?
Job readiness programmes include many different areas of the job seeking process including:-
Discovering your goals and aspirations when it comes to employment
What job would you like? Or if you’re unsure, what skills and experience do you already have that would match up to different roles and industries?
Discovering your job readiness strengths and weakness
Do you have an excellent CV but struggle with interviews for example, or do you have great experience but don’t know how to tell an employer this in an application form? Identifying your strengths and weaknesses from the beginning helps you to make the most of our your job readiness journey.
Getting all important, valuable work experience
If one of the areas you want to improve is your work experience, a good job readiness programme will help you to gain the skills, experience and knowledge that employers are looking for. The programme might offer work experience or voluntary opportunities which will help you add a great deal to you CV.
One to one support
Learn how to write a CV, seek jobs online, write an application form, answer questions and conduct yourself well at an interview or learn about self employment for example. Whatever your needs are, you will have a job readiness coach dedicated to you, so you can get the personalised support you need.
Moving on
Job readiness will help you to make progress. You might move on to further volunteering opportunities training courses for example. Or you might be able to start searching for work independently with the new job seeking you have gained during the programme. Many past participants have secured interviews and jobs quickly after taking part in the programme.
What Do I Get from an Employment Readiness Programme?
You will receive up to 12 weeks of support, one day per week, typically on the same day each week. However, this schedule can be adjusted based on your requirements and other commitments. We recognize that unexpected events occur, but people who get the most benefit from the programme attend at least once per week.
A personalised approach means your journey within our programme is tailor made to your strengths, needs and goals. We spend lots of time with you during the programme, so your personalised programme can grow with you.
Participants tell us that increased confidence is the biggest change they experience from the programme. This is due to working with others, improving your self esteem in your own abilities and having greater aspirations and motivation. We know exactly how it feels to be apprehensive and unsure about the best way to approach job seeking, so confidence building is a big part of the programme (if you need it).programme (if you need it).
What Do I Leave With?
A job readiness toolkit, with your CV, application form templates, and other information so that you can continue to apply for roles independently after you leave the programme, with support on hand if you’d like to ask any questions from our coaches in the future
Free work boots, high-visibility waistcoat and other PPE to keep you safe during the programme, and are yours to keep afterwards.
Where is it held?
All of the work experience and job readiness support is delivered at Foundations Furniture, a charity in Teams, Gateshead. The charity has a retail and warehouse setting, with everything that people need to gain the skills, knowledge and experience they need. Foundations is well known for it’s welcoming, accessible environment where people quickly feel comfortable and included. We have funding available to help you with travel costs to and from the charity.
Do I do the full programme or just the parts I need?
Foundations believes that personalised programmes are the most beneficial, so that participants get exactly what they need. At the beginning of the programme, the team work with you to identify your strengths and weakness to create your own action plan so that you get the most out of Foundations 4 Work.
The action plan is flexible too, so that you can work on different areas, at different times. Sometimes a need does not show itself until a few weeks in, or your goals might change as your confidence grows. This means that your personalised plan grows with you.
How long does it last?
Participants come to us for one day per week for up to 12 weeks.
Can it help me to become self employed?
Yes. We can give you advice and guidance about self employment. Christine will take you through everything you need to know, and has lots of links with other support services too, to help you to identify if self employment is something you'd like to do, and how to turn your idea or skill into a business venture.
How much does it cost?
The programme is completely free for unemployed residents living in the Gateshead borough. This has been made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund until March 2027.
What if I can't afford the travel costs?
Thanks to funding from the The National Lottery Community Fund, we can reimburse your for your travel costs from home and back again so that you can spend the day with us every week without worrying about the financial impact of travel.
Who delivers it?
Our programme is delivered by an experienced and knowledgeable team. The team has many years experience of supporting people in to employment and self employment, through one-to-one coaching, group training and workshops. They also have a wealth of experience in supporting people in lots of other areas, such as housing, financial planning and budgeting, volunteering and much more.
What if I still need support afterward the employment readiness ends?
The Foundations 4 Work team are available to help you with any queries you have once you leave the programme, and will, with your permission, give you a call after you have left the programme to see how you are and if you need any further help towards your goals.
What is the eligibility criteria?
For free support from Foundation 4 Work, participants must be of working age, unemployed and living in Gateshead. Participants must be able to dedicate one day during the week to spend with Foundations, for a maximum of 12 weeks.
What if I just need a CV?
If you need help with a CV and you are unemployed and living in Gateshead, Foundations 4 Work can help you to write one.
When can I start?
Anytime. Our placement begins when you feel ready, and you can start whenever it suits you best.
To find out more about volunteering and employment support in Gateshead, call Foundations on 07851 478548 or visit the Foundation 4 Work website:-
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