Week 5 & 6 - Working on the Community Project

Then it's down to you to transform your chosen project!

Overalls on, tools or paint out and time to get messy. Unlike changing rooms, there is no additional help or a Handy Andy to do all the tough bits. The team completes all the work!

Reviews, Logbook Work & Preparation

During the course, you will spend time putting your evidence together for your qualification.  There is plenty of support for those of you that need a little extra help so that everybody can get their qualification. You will also have a review with your team leader about how you are progressing and possibly set new targets for yourself. You will also prepare for your work placement.

Week 7 & 8 - Individual Work Placements

This section of the course is dedicated to looking at what your next steps will be once you have completed the course. Job search techniques are explored and sources of information and guidance are identified to help you choose the most-suited career path.

In this week you will also be given the opportunity to have a mock interview as well as developing your CV. The College Guidance team will be on hand to assist anyone thinking of returning to College to study on another programme. Guest speakers might also be invited in at this stage of the course to talk to you about your future and offer support to those that need it via informal talks or mentoring. Visits to organisations such as the Fire and Rescue service often take place to find out more about what service they provide, as well as taking an in-depth look at all the employment opportunities. 

Week 9 - Next Steps

This is when you will get the opportunity to get some work experience in a job that really interests you. You will be expected to work enthusiastically while you are on your placement and be willing to take advice and learn from your supervisor. This is an ideal opportunity to put in to practice all the skills you have improved on and be responsible for yourself. 

Your team leader will visit you while you are on your placement to make sure you are happy with the experience you are getting. Should you be unhappy with your placement, your team leader will do their best to place you somewhere else. Many times employers have been so impressed by the Prince's Trust team member while on placement, that many team members have been offered jobs at their placement at the end of the course - BONUS!!

Week 10 & 11 - The Final Team Challenge

Your team will work together to carry out another community project. This community project will be slightly different in that you will be working with people in the community for this week.  This is a chance for your team to be creative, but whatever you decide to do, you will have to raise the money, if needed. This week is designed to challenge team members by giving them the opportunity to work with groups of the community, which they may not normally work with, put team members in new and challenging environments and to further develop their chosen skill areas. Challenges in the past have included:

• working with children at a community centre playgroup
• taking disabled children out on a day trip
• helping out at a residential home for the week.

Week 12 - The Final Presentation

The programme is almost at an end and you will celebrate your achievements by organising a presentation. Anyone and everyone can come to your presentation. This is a time for you to show off your achievements and tell everyone about your accomplishments over the past 12 weeks. 

Final presentations can be funny and make people laugh, and sometimes presentations can make people cry. It can be an emotional time for all involved. Some of you will have achieved things you never thought possible and many of you will have made friends that you will stay in touch with for years to come. You will receive a certificate (signed by HRH The Prince of Wales) that will be presented to you by a figurehead in your community. Refreshments are served afterwards, giving your team leader the chance to talk to your parents, social workers, probation officers or guardians about the great accomplishments you've achieved over the last 12 weeks!

After the course, some of you will go on to complete another College course and some of you will start a job, but one thing is for sure, you will all be taking the next positive step in your career.