Stepping stone into employment

The ‘Get Into’ programmes, offered at EKC Training’s centres in various locations across East Kent, are specially designed to help students develop industry specific skills and to get them started on their journey into a wide range of employment opportunities.

Expert tutors support students to gain essential qualifications and prepare them for employment or further study, by providing careers advice and workshops to develop CV writing and interview skills.

Each programme is tailored to a different sector with courses available in Administration, Building Services, Construction, Education, Healthcare, Hospitality and Retail to give students knowledge and understanding of their chosen career.

The courses are free and available to learners that are on a low income or are unemployed.

Rhiannon Whelan recently completed the ‘Get Into Administration’ course and is now prepared to enrol on a teaching assistant programme after being inspired by the teaching support she received during her course. Rhiannon was nervous about returning to education but gained confidence with the help of her tutor at the training centre in Dover.

Reflecting on her experience, Rhiannon recalled, “I was worried because the only education I had was part way through secondary school and I thought that I was really going to struggle.

After a couple of days working with my tutor, he got the ball rolling on my confidence and self-belief.”

As an adult learner, returning to an educational setting may seem daunting, but at EKC Training, staff are there to help you overcome your fears and kickstart your passion for learning. Tutors are on hand to offer 1-1 help with not only your coursework but any needs you have so you can develop in confidence.

EKC Training student Donna Daly had also been out of education for many years before starting the ‘Get Into Retail’ course and was anxious about returning to learning.

She was referred to the course by the Job Centre after seeking support to enter employment and will be returning to build on the skills she’s learnt and explore other courses at East Kent Colleges Group’s Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ provision.

Donna said, “My tutor has been brilliant and made us all feel welcome. He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. He has given me more confidence to go forward and do other training.”

When asked what advice she would give to anyone thinking of doing a ‘Get Into’ course, Donna said: “It doesn’t matter how old you are, just go for it as it is worth it, and the course is really good.”

The career support and guidance provided by the staff during the ‘Get Into’ course has transformed Daniel Jenkins’ career goals.

Initially unsure of what he wanted to do when joining the ‘Get into Retail’ course, Daniel is now pursuing a career as a teacher.

As the courses teach key skills such as communication, teamwork and problem solving, students develop skills that are transferable to a range of different jobs and industries.

“The staff have been incredibly helpful,” said Daniel.

“They have been there every step of the way to support me, and I am still in touch with my lecturer. He is helping me progress even further forward by assisting me with a teacher training course I am enrolling on.”

If you’re thinking of joining an EKC Training course, Daniel has this advice.

“Take it up and take any offers that are thrown your way. The support and teaching you will receive is amazing. It has been such a great way to improve my CV and help put me in the right direction to gaining employment.”

Studying alongside Daniel was Matthew Hughes, who has been using EKC Training’s programmes to boost his interpersonal skills in a wide range of areas.

Having previously studied other courses within the East Kent Colleges Group, the Get Into Retail course was suggested to him to help him get ready for the world of work.

“I’ve had positive experiences with the other courses I have done, so when this was offered to me, I was immediately interested,” added Matthew.

“The staff here are so approachable and supportive, which was very important to me.”

Going back to education as an adult learner may seem challenging if you don’t know what to expect, but one of the benefits of EKC Training programmes is that they teach important skills in a stress-free environment.

This way of learning is beneficial for Matthew as he explained.

“We’ve had a casual approach to what we’ve learnt but it’s not hands-off either. We get to slowly build up the core skills that we need, and this is a really great way for me to retain the knowledge. This course has been extremely valuable to me.”

Matthew is now exploring his future options with EKC Training’s guidance team and is eager to see what opportunities await him.

EKC Training’s Adult Centres are located in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone, Margate and Sittingbourne.

Find out more about EKC Training’s ‘Get Into’ courses at ekcgroup.ac.uk