Career LEAP is a collaborative programme designed to capitalise on relevant skills and expertise from each partner in tackling barriers to employment for young adults who face additional challenges in their lives.
A key feature underpinning the success of Career LEAP is the engagement with business members who participate in CPD certified training as part of the programme.
Many programmes prepare the young adults for work placement, but they don’t typically work with the businesses and their employees so that they are also ready to receive the interns and work effectively with them. This is particularly important when working with young people from disadvantaged communities.
98% of business partners rated the mentor training as excellent
Our Partners identified the presentation and active delivery, content and strategies as highly relevant to their work.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certified Training
Business partners are invited to nominate members of staff to participate in a practical CPD course (4 hours) which:
- introduces the Career LEAP model;
- explores disadvantage, educational disadvantage and linguistic disadvantage;
- examines the principles of mentoring, with specific focus on mentoring people from diverse backgrounds;
- discusses how people learn;
- considers diversity, neurodiverse smart businesses, and inclusion in the workplace; and
- provides practical tips and strategies for working with an at-risk young person on placement.
On successful completion, participants receive a CPD Certificate of Participation from Trinity College, presented during the same ceremony when young people receive their certificates from Trinity College.
It is the first programme I have seen which identifies the need to not only train the young people but also to train professionals within the business company. This offers great support for business to provide CPD training for their staff. It’s about changing the wider mindset around equal access to employment and exploring disadvantage. The role of the mentor is crucial as young people have a key contact to go to if they need support. It can make a huge difference for the young person in a such a big, new environment they have never entered before. The most important thing is to plan and prepare everything in advance to help the young person fit in and look and feel the part.
Aimee, Youth Worker and Career LEAP Coordinator
Hear what our mentors say about the Trinity certified CPD course …
I loved the experience and it was really good. I was apprehensive at the start of it. But when I did the course with Carmel that was very interesting. And I could have sat down and listened to her all day nine to five. She made it so interesting and she’d just draw you in. I did get a lot out of it.
Front of House, Banking sector
