Guidance

A confidential client appointment with our Guidance Worker, Liz lasts for an hour and on average she will see a client 2 or 3 times – often over an extended period of time.  Our guidance provision covers the following areas:-

• Advising and Assessing – Our guidance worker helps clients to carry out a skills audit, underlining the skills they have already acquired within the home environment as well as voluntary and paid work. This process helps clients to clarify their needs and determine what their options are, in terms of training and career paths.
• Opportunities Awareness – This identifies what sort of jobs are available in the workplace which may suit a persons situation and whether there are any skills, professional qualifications or opportunities for voluntary work which will help achieve their goals.  Our guidance worker will support clients in making realistic judgements and in dealing with educational establishments.
• Job Search Skills – Many of our clients find filling in application forms, producing CVs and preparing for an interview a daunting prospect.   Our guidance worker helps clients to prepare these documents and often carries out mock interviews so our clients gain confidence for potential job interviews.
• Job Club -

  We run a weekly job club offering guidance and support for those looking and applying for work. We cover all aspects of job searching and provide ongoing one-to-one support from a qualified advisor and volunteers who  have knowledge and expertise of the labour market and  understand problems experienced by jobseekers.   

  Job seekers have access to:

  ¨       Computer/Internet for job search

  ¨       Local Papers/jobs sheets  and job bulletins

  ¨       Current job vacancies list from Job Centre Plus

  ¨       Lists of job websites:  specific and general

  ¨       Telephone use in ringing up employers, applying for courses or any problems regarding benefits

  ¨       Help with CV writing setting up e-mail, job search, job applications, letters of applications, skills check and preparation for interviews 

  ¨       Access to employer lead workshops and CV reviews

  ¨       Registering of  CV with employment agencies

  ¨       Support with printing and postage

  Who Can Attend:

  Anyone who is looking for full or part-time employment or voluntary opportunities, a change of career or information on self-employment and starting own business.

  You can be either signing on at Job Centre Plus or a labour market returner out of work

  You may be facing redundancy and want to start planning you next course of action

  When and where we do it:

  Venue:                 Step-Up, 39 Oxhey Drive, South Oxhey

  Day/Time:           Drop-in Sessions - every Friday 1-4 pm (excluding holiday times)

As part of our guidance programme, ASCEND has developed a network of contacts with local organisations, businesses and training providers in order to provide the most beneficial start for our clients in their transition to training and ultimately employment.  Some of these are linked below:

National Careers Service - www.direct.gov.uk/nationalcareersservice

Direct Gov -  www.direct.gov.uk/

TCHC - www.tchc.net

Apprenticeships - www.apprenticeships.org.uk/

Volunteering vacancies - www.do-it.org.uk

ASCEND was the first project in Hertfordshire to gain accreditation for its information, advice and guidance services, and was recently re-accredited.

ASCEND is a partner in the national careers service - the national provider of free, impartial information, advice and guidance for adults

For more info:
www.direct.gov.uk/nationalcareersservice