Pulteneytown People's Project and HomeLink Caithness
Scottish Charity No. SC 033675
Limited Company No. 272750
Youth Programmes at Pulteneytown People's Project
Young people in Caithness struggling to find their feet after school should look no further than Pulteneytown People’s Project which has programs to help each step of the way.
Activity Agreements
The Wick based community organisation offers 16 to 19 year olds the chance to enter into Activity Agreements. This is a contract between the young adult, Highland Council and Skills Development Scotland where they agree to take part in a programme of learning and activities with the aim of progressing to formal education or employment. Whilst on an Activity Agreement an application can be made to EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance) for £30 a week and funding can be secured for PPP organised courses.
During this time there will be an opportunity to gain work experience through Volunteering Highland, working towards gaining the prestigious Millennium Volunteering Award, and also take full advantage of the Job Club which runs every Friday, providing advice, support and computer access for job searching.
College Course
Working in partnership with North Highland College, PPP runs a successful college course designed for teenagers who have just left school and perhaps didn’t gain the qualifications needed to progress onto college. The course offers a range of classes, both practical and theoretical, which ease participants into student life and gives valuable experience and qualifications. During the course there is also a chance for the students to take ‘taster’ classes; an opportunity to explore different subjects and find the perfect one to study. All the students who completed the last course have since gone on to fulltime college courses.
Get Ready for Work
If the young person would prefer learning a trade or gaining work experience instead of further education PPP also offers work placements through their Get Ready for Work programme. Here 16-19 year olds have the chance to be matched to local businesses and enter into a short term contract where they earn £55 a week. Young people who have completed similar placements in the past have worked with local firms MM Miller, G&A Barnie, Lee Mackay Joinery, Norbloc Construction and many others, including PPP itself. There has been a high level of success with many of the previous placements ending in the worker being kept on or gaining apprenticeships. Perfect for gaining experience and on-the-job training, a placement with Get Ready for Work is the first step to apprenticeship or a permanent job. Those on the programme receive full support from PPP project co-ordinators as well as any necessary training.
SQA Awards
Qualifications can be gained through PPP’s Training Centre in the form of SQA awards in Employability, Steps to Work and core skills units. The SQA Employability Award introduces learners to the world of work and the methods needed to obtain and sustain work. SQA Steps to Work centres on personal development and the responsibilities of work as well as building confidence in areas of interest such as sport, art and computing. Both the Employability Award and Steps to Work are offered at SCQF levels 3 and 4. SQA core units are offered in numeracy, communications, information and communication technology, working with others and problem solving, all at levels 2 and 3.
Job Club
PPP also runs a popular Job Club every Friday which young adults looking for employment can use to assist them. You can get the full details of the Job Club on the Job Club Page.
PPP can help young adults through the difficult period between leaving school and finding employment or further education.
Taking part in the College Course gives opportunities to learn and put skills into action.
Kayley MacGregor (centre) spent her Get Ready for Work placement with the Norlin playgroup.
On PPP's youth programmes you can gain qualifications which help towards finding employment or progressing into further education.