Centre Works Out for trainers

Work IT Out, a free accredited training course designed to help people improve their basic IT skills to be better equipped to secure employment and navigate Universal Credit, continues to run every fortnight from the Resource Centre’s IT suite.

Work IT Out runs for eight days over two weeks (Tuesday to Friday) and carries two qualifications, Entry Level 3 IT and NOCN Level 1 Employability.  The course is aimed at people aged 19 plus from Middlesbrough and Stockton and course elements include navigating a computer, how to apply for and how to use Universal Credit, communication and interpersonal skills, creating a CV and cover letter, budgeting and interview preparation.

Between April and September 112 people completed either part one or both parts of the course, which also runs from the Newtown Community Resource Centre in Stockton. Up to the end of July, 24 people who had completed the course reported that they had progressed into employment, further training or volunteering/ work trials, while 97% reported feeling more confident about job searching upon completion of the course.

Paul Wales, operations director at Actes which developed and delivers Work IT Out, says: “We are pleased with the interest in Work IT Out so far, but we’re keen to secure more referrals so that we can help people in need of employability support and those who would benefit from help in navigating Universal Credit.”

Work IT Out clients have rated the Resource Centre highly in their evaluation forms with 94% scoring the facility as Very Good or Good.

Paul added: “The Resource Centre is an ideal venue to run Work IT Out from due to its on-site parking, excellent IT facilities and in-house catering.”

In addition to Work IT Out, the Resource Centre has recently attracted a number of training organisations who are delivering courses from the facility.  Organisations including Northumbria College, Aspire, Sulzer Chemtech and Working Links have all made use of the centre’s facilities in recent months.

For further information about training facilities at the Resource Centre contact 01642 255001.