A JOB club in Blackbird Leys is preparing for a rush of young people looking for career advice after A-Level and GCSE results.

The Early Intervention Service is expecting more people to attend the free weekly Wednesday Blackbird Leys Young People’s Job Shop.

A-Level results will be released on Thursday while GCSEs come out on August 21.

Team leader Alison Barlow said: “We’re having extra, special sessions for people who didn’t get the results they were hoping to get and aren’t able to go where they were hoping to go. Colleges do an awful lot to get people in place and support them, and we work alongside them.

“Even if students are disappointed in that moment, we make sure they participate in something.”

The Blackbird Leys Road centre holds the job club for 16- to 19-year-olds from 1.30pm to 3pm.

As well as jobseekers, the club helps those who are looking for apprenticeships, training programmes, work experience or voluntary work.

They also give advice to those who are unsure what area they want to work in, or need help with benefits.

Ms Barlow said: “Young people come back to us who have already got a job but want to aspire for something else. Some people come who want to do things because they’ve been at home for a few months.”

In a normal session the club see about six people, with workers spending up to 45 minutes with each person. They are expecting that to increase after the results days, but Ms Barlow said that no one would be turned away, even if it means the session overruns.Workers give advice and information on where to look for work, as well as how to successfully apply.

She said: “One of the things we do very early on is link them up with Oxfordshire County Council’s main website for education. It has a list of opportunities for jobs, volunteering, work experience, apprenticeships.

“It’s a one-stop-shop for writing CVs and applying online.”

She said that knowing how to fill in online application forms and how to dress for success is a major problem for young job seekers, adding: “One of the main issues is that young people don’t know best how to present their experience and knowledge.

“On those forms you only have one shot and if they don’t do well then they’re discounted.

“It’s helping them get through that and put their best side forward.”

s For details call 01865 816202.

 

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