Under SCOL funding guidance was provided by Careers Bradford (under19’s) and EASA (work with adults).

A basic timetable of appointments, daytime only, was established across the community centres, bearing in mind the needs of clients and the times available. Each centre booked appointments for the client with the guidance worker. During the guidance session the guidance worker would cover a range of areas with the client, including:

completion of proforma and registering client as a SCOL member

discussion of client’s educational and employment background

discussion of client’s educational/employment goals

Adult Directions computer aided guidance programme

registering client for SCOL jobsearch

introduction to using the SCOL website

introduction to using the WWW for jobsearch

 

These might be completed in one session or be done more gradually through a series of meetings depending on the client’s needs.

To market the guidance element of the project guidance services undertook a range of activities within each centre:

attended course enrolment sessions

offered "guidance" courses within the centres

gave introductory talks to parents at Low Ash First School

mailshot of Objective 2 people attending courses

wide distribution of leaflets

offered introductory sessions on a group basis, on using the WWW or SCOLwebsite

Guidance/SCOL services were also marketed through Shipley Job Centre as guidance workers visited regularly in addition to maintaining a presence in the Job Centre throughout a 2 week signing cycle.

Centres used a variety of means to advertise the project:

community column in local press

word of mouth

specific targeting (e.g. teenage parents, women returners)

mailshots

special events e.g BBC Webwise events at centres

 

Of those interviewed by EASA , half were found to be actively looking for work, half were seeking training courses.