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Setp Up Details

About the Course

  • Step Up is a Full Time 10 week course designed for 16 and 17 year olds who have recently decided to leave an existing placement at an FE college or Sixth Form or are not currently in full time employment, education or training.
  • The course will enable you to gain the NOCN Step Up Progression Award as well as gaining the skills, motivation and confidence necessary to review and take your next steps into gaining employment, an apprenticeship or a place on a college course.
  • You will take part in a full college induction and will have access to all college resources and services.
  • You will take part in Employability Workshops in CV Development, Letter Writing, Application Forms, Analysing Adverts and Interview Techniques.
  • You will have access to college certificated workshops in Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity and Employment Rights and Responsibilities.
  • There will be weekly sessions dedicated to a range of a Personal and Social Development areas as well as weekly participation in Sport and Team Building activities.
  • You will have access to a wide range of Vocational Taster sessions and will be provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  • In order to explore and enhance your Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills you will be involved in a Group Enterprise Project and will facilitate and attend an Awards Ceremony at the end of your programme.
  • On successful completion of the agreed course aims, you will be presented with a College Certificate that will guarantee you a suitable place on a course at Otley College in 2010. (subject to terms and conditions)

Advice and Guidance

Whilst on the course you will be provided with 1-2-1 support from members of the Student Services, Work Based Learning and Connexions teams to enable you to plan and implement the transition to a relevant FE course, apprenticeship or work placement.

Financial Support

As this is a full time course (18 hrs, 3 days per week) you could be eligible for EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance), a weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30 per week for 16, 17 and 18 year old students in full time education. Further information and how to apply can be found on the EMA website at http://ema.direct.gov.uk or by calling the helpline on 0800 121 8989.

There is no fee to pay for this course and all Personal Protective Equipment required to participate in the practical vocational taster sessions will be provided free of charge.

If your household income is £22,000 or less or your household is claiming a means tested benefit ie income support, housing benefit, you could be eligible to the college’s Learner Support Fund for help with transport costs to and from College.

An EMA application pack and Learner Support Fund application details can be requested from Student Services on 01473 784206

How to Apply

There are no formal entry requirements; acceptance onto the course will be dependant on an informal interview. For more information please contact :-
Gaynor Marsh (Step Up Co-ordinator)
Otley College
Charity Lane,
Otley,
Ipswich
IP6 9EY
Tel No: 01473 784269 Email: gaynor.marsh@otleycollege.ac.uk