The Times They Are A-Changing...

There are some changes coming to the School Gates Initiative from the end of March 2012. After 2 successful years the School Gates service will coming to an end as it previously operated. 


However, this will not be the complete end of the outreach service, as Jobcentre Plus, one of the original partners of the School Gates Project, will still be able to offer an Outreach Service to unemployed parents in the Kirkby area, at local Schools & Children's Centres, on a Wednesday.


The School Gates Initiative was originally set up in 2010 to provide support to parents who were looking to move into work, training or self-employment. The Initiative operated throughout the country to provide parents with the support they need in an environment they can easily access, such as a School or Children's Centre.


In Knowsley the project was set up to work in Kirkby initially, particularly in the Northwood & Tower Hill area, with  an experienced adviser and partnership network providing support to help parents reach their goals including:-


• Help with Job Search
• Help completing application forms
• Help producing a CV
• Help with interview skills
• Help looking for suitable training
• Personal Development & Confidence Building
• Benefit Advice
• Signposting to other service needed, such as Debt Advice or Carers
services
• Links to other support organisations
• & MUCH MORE


The new Outreach Service provided by Kirkby Jobcentre Plus will still offer all of this support and the Outreach Adviser can come to see parents in schools or Children’s Centres to speak to speak in an informal and relaxed environment in a location convenient to the parent.


Above all the service is CONFIDENTIAL – we do not disclose what is discussed in our appointment with any other organisations without your express permission


To find out how the Outreach Adviser can help you, or to book an appointment with the Adviser you can call Gary on 07770 966 612 or (0151) 801 8719

Jobs Cafe Closing

Unfortunately, due to a change of contract with one of the organisations involved in the Jobs Café at KUC, after Friday 23rd March 2012 we will no longer be able to offer this service.

Over the past 2 years the Jobs Café has supported hundreds of people with CV’s, completing application forms, Job search, Looking for training, and any other advice & guidance they needed. We would like to thank everybody who has supported the Jobs Café including all of the advisers who have given their time, and all of the people who have come to make use of the service.

There are other Work Clubs operating throughout the Knowsley Area that offer a similar service. Call into your local Jobcentre Plus office or call 0845 604 3719 to find out where your nearest Work club is and how they can help you.

Poet Me!

Our partners at KUC are offering a new way to do your CV:-

A SHORT COURSE TO IMPROVE YOUR C.V MAKING SKILLS

“There's a reason for becoming a poet

You may have some skills and don't know it

No experience required

You may even get hired

So find something new about you and enjoy it!”

 Reassess your skills and abilities in a new and fun way.

 Look at your working life through poetry and try rhyming your work history and life experience.

 It will help you re-assess and précis your C.V to focus on the most important aspects.

 You will also learn a new skill and hopefully gain a sense of achievement.

NO previous knowledge required! Workshops are run in an 'easy-learn’ way and will also involve some simple internet research. You will learn to write a simple ditty and limerick to combine with your poetry C.V.

The course will run over five sessions of approximately two hours each concluding with a celebration of your achievements.

Who is the course for?

Knowsley residents aged 19+ who are interested in increasing their confidence and self esteem in a fun and informative learning environment.

When? Starting Monday 27th February (afternoon only) or Thursday 1st March (morning or afternoon).

Where? KUC – Westhead Avenue, Northwood, Kirkby, L33 0XN

This course is free and all resources will be provided.

Places must be booked in advance Call Jackie Bradley on 0151 548 0001

Jobsearch Websites

If you feel confident doing your own job search and have access to a computer then you may want to check out the following sites that can help you in your job search.

Jobsearch Websites

http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/

http://www.totaljobs.com/

http://www.fish4.co.uk/

http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/

http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/

http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/jobs-at-the-council.aspx

http://liverpool.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/current-vacancies/

http://www.jobsearch.co.uk/

http://www.myjobsearch.com/

http://jobsearch.monster.co.uk/

http://www.jobsite.co.uk/

http://www.jobstoday.co.uk/

 

http://www.jobs24.co.uk/jobs

http://www.needajob.co.uk/

 
Please note that most of these sites are national but we have included some that are local to residents of Merseyside & the surrounding area.

Jobs Cafe

In March 2011 Knowsley Engagement Co-Operative, of which School Gates Knowsley is a leading member, working with Working Links and Jobcentre Plus set up a Jobs Cafe at Kirkby Unemployed Centre, on Westhead Avenue on Kirkby. This is a drop in facility, initially operating fortnightly, which would give Merseyside residents somewhere to come to get support, advice & guidance from specialist advisers to help them take control of their future employment opportunities.

This is held in an IT room with computers that people can come to use to job search, look for training or voluntary opportunities, find out about which organisations can support them, be shown how to use email to help them apply for jobs online, and practical support like how to set up a CV and covering letter which can then be adapted and used to apply for vacancies, help completing applications forms, or just advice around returning to work.

The facility is staffed by very experienced advisers who all work in the employability sector, from organisations such as Jobcentre Plus, Knowsley Community College, The Women's Organisation, Next Step, Connexions, and more. These advisers are on hand to provide you with INFORMAL and CONFIDENTIAL advice about returning to work, self-employment, benefits, training or any other support that you may need.

You don't have to be unemployed to visit, it is voluntary to drop into the centre, and you can spend as little or as much time as you want there.

Due to the success of the Jobs Cafe, Knowsley Engagement Co-Operative, now working with KUC and Next Step will be running the Jobs Cafe on a WEEKLY basis EVERY FRIDAY from 10AM-3PM and anybody is welcome


If you would like any more information please feel free to call Jackie Bradley on (0151) 548 0001
 

Food For Thought

Our partners at The Women's Organisation have the following opportunity available for Catering Operatives that you may be interested in:-

New Catering Business Opportunity



The Women’s Organisation is seeking prospective catering operators, who are interested in an exciting opportunity to open a Café/Bistro at the significant new building 54 James Street.

An open evening will be held at 6.30pm, on Monday, 20th February, 2012. This event will illustrate the business opportunity, including both internal and external catering, in more detail.

Interested parties should contact Janet Lees on 07762021311 or janetlees@preciseprojects.co.uk to obtain more information and to secure an invitation to this event.

Christmas Jobs Cafe

To quote Shakin' Stevens we at School Gates Knowsley would like to say Merry Christmas Everyone!

Just to keep you in the loop regarding the Jobs Cafe at KUC we are:-

OPEN 

on

FRIDAY 23rd DECEMBER 2011

CLOSED

on

FRIDAY 30th DECEMBER 2011

OPEN

on

FRIDAY 6th JANUARY 2012

In the New Year we will be adding more services to the Jobs Cafe which will help you decide your job or training goals and give you an even better chance of finding the right job for you. Keep checking this blog or our Facebook or Twitter pages to find out what will be happening in 2012.

Once again wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the School Gates Knowsley Team

Coming Soon..

School Gates Knowsley is involved in an exciting new project which will be coming to the Kirkby area in 2012. The "Counting The Pennies" Course will be FREE training for local residents, around a variety of financial matters.

Keep checking back at this blog in January 2012 to find out more about this exciting new opportunity.

Social Media Course

School Gates Initiative works with KPAC, a local community interest company, and they have the following opportunity available that you may be interested in:-

Social Media

One Day Training Course

KPAC

The Old Schoolhouse
St.John’s Road,

Huyton, 

Liverpool.

L36 0UX

9.30 am – 4.00 pm

25th January 2012

Cost:  £49.00

– Lunch and refreshments included

This course is aimed at people who are interested in learning more about the different types of social media and how they can benefit your business / organisation.

Course content includes:

What is a Social Media?
Benefits of using social media for your organisation
Gmail
Google Accounts
Google+
Twitter

Facebook
Linked In

Moving your organisation’s website up the Google rankings

For further information on this course,

or would like to book a place please Contact KPAC

Community Interest Company

7221148

Graham Barker

Director

0151 481 0047

07856 208 234

KPAC

The Old Schoolhouse

St.John's Road

Huyton

Knowsley

L36 0UX

Get Started With Music Course

School Gates Knowsley works closely with The Princes Trust, who have a “Get Started With Music” course starting in Liverpool for young people aged 16 – 25 who are interested in the music industry. It will be a five day course running from Monday 5th to Friday 9th December 2011. The course will allow young people to:


• Gain skills in song writing, recording and performing
• Learn how to organise and promote a music event at a venue
• Work as part of a team and meet others with a passion for music plus gain new contacts
• Enjoy a fun week improving teamwork, communication and confidence skills
• Receive three months support after the programme to help move them into education, training or employment


Any young people who are interested can contact Andy McNally at The Princes Trust for further details and to register for the course on 0793 161 4736 or via email at Andrew.mcnally@princes-trust.org.uk