We offer Information, Advice, Guidance and support to young people in school years 10,11 and 12, to help them to progress into sustained post-16 education, employment or training. We offer a range of support through our DurhamWorks Programme for Schools and our Workplaces Project to young people who are referred to us by their school or by another professional. We are accredited to the matrix Standard, which is a national award that recognises our high quality Information, Advice and Guidance.
Referrals
Referrals to DurhamWorks can come from a school or a professional working with you. If you would like some help to explore your future options but have not spoken to us before, please contact your school to request support.
If you are a professional working with a young person who would like some help looking at their future options on a one-to-one basis when they leave school, please complete the form towards the bottom of this page providing information about yourself and the young person whom you wish to refer.
Year 10 / Year 12 – The Workplaces Project (School Referrals Only)
The Workplaces Project gives identified young people in years 10 and 12 an opportunity to gain a valuable insight into the world of work. The project helps young people to discover the skills, qualities and attitudes that employers value.
Young people:
- Learn more about the world of work and specific employment sectors.
- Be encouraged to develop their career goals.
- Spend time with employees to find out about different types of jobs available.
- Are encouraged to think about their own career plans and the actions they need to take to prepare for their future working life.
Young people participate in a programme delivered by a Workplaces Project Coach, which includes:
- Workshops to learn about employment sectors, job roles, entry routes, and skills.
- A visit to an employer consisting of a tour of the workplace and an opportunity to meet with employees.
- A review of what they have learned from the programme and how they can use this to plan their progression into post-16 education, employment or training. after year 11.
(The Workplaces Project is funded through the County Durham Poverty Action group.)
Year 11 – Durham Works Programme for Schools (School and Professional Referrals Only)
We provide support to young people in year 11 to plan for and progress into sustained post-16 education, employment, or training. Our offer includes:
- One-to-one impartial Information, Advice, Guidance and support to young people from our qualified Progression Coordinators, Progression Coaches and Progression Mentors.
- Work related learning group activities to help young people to develop a greater understanding of the world of work, as well as the skills and attributes that employers value. Our work related learning activities are supported by Business Ambassadors, who are trained volunteers from local businesses and organisations.
- Opportunities for young people to learn about different career and learning routes, as well as to develop a greater understanding of themselves and their support needs.
- Information for parents/carers to hep them to support their child to progress into post-16 education, employment or training.
Young people who access our one-to-one support receive an individualised programme that may include:
- Information, advice and guidance about post-16 education, employment and training pathways.
- Support to understand and manage barriers to progression e.g. confidence.
- Help to attend FE college open events and visits.
- Support to complete applications for FE colleges, training providers, and apprenticeships.
- Help to prepare for interviews.
- Help to access financial support for clothing and equipment required for FE college/training/employment.
- Support to access transport and to travel independently.
- Help to access volunteering and work experience opportunities.