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Enhancing Employability for Job Seekers: The Spear Programme

Written by: Evie Courtier
Published on: 27 Sep 2023

 

Spear

As part of our commitment to making the professional world a more accessible and inclusive place, GAAPweb supports Spear Islington, a charity helping local young people facing disadvantage into work. Read on to find out more about the Spear Programme and how you can offer your support to this truly worthwhile cause.

What is the Spear Programme?

The Spear Programme is an initiative of social transformation charity Resurgo and equips 16–24-year-olds with the skills required to overcome disadvantage and succeed in long-term employment. Trainees receive 6 weeks of intensive coaching in a group setting, followed by a full year of personalised support from their coach.

The Spear Programme is currently delivered in 10 locations. This includes 7 centres in London and 3 elsewhere across the UK, in Leeds, Brighton and Bournemouth. This year, Resurgo enrolled their 9,000th trainee onto the award-winning Spear Programme.

The GAAPweb team supports the Spear Programme’s delivery in Islington, where Lead coaches Anna Skinner and Matt Hickman, are making a real difference to the lives of young people in the local community. Members of our team volunteer to take part in mock interview sessions and career discussion panels to help trainees prepare for the world of work.

Who is it for?

The Spear Programme is designed for 16–24-year-olds who are facing challenges or barriers to getting into work.

To enrol on the Spear Programme, every trainee needs to be experiencing at least one barrier to employment, and most experience at least three. ‘Barriers to employment’ can include things like:

  • Receiving free school meals
  • Being from a welfare-dependent household
  • Mental health difficulties
  • Experience of crime or homelessness

Our company visit:

On the 22nd November 2023, the GAAPweb team will welcome the Spear Programme to Canary Wharf. A company visit is an integral part of the Spear Foundation Programme. It is a chance for the trainees to experience a professional environment, meet people who are already climbing the career ladder, and learn more about what the host company does. GAAPweb are looking forward to welcoming the trainees and Spear professionals for an interactive introduction into the world of work, with an office tour, group presentations and workshops.

Success stories:

Since its inception in 2004, the Spear Programme has worked with more than 6,500 young people across the country. Below, we hear from Jada, a past Spear Islington trainee.

“I used to work at the Premier Inn, but stayed behind the scenes as a kitchen porter where I didn’t have to interact with anyone. I found engaging with people extremely difficult, and eventually had to quit my job as my social anxiety had become so bad.

My self-confidence plummeted. I really wanted to work with young children, but couldn’t even contemplate getting another job.

My work coach at the Job Centre told me about the Spear Programme. Even going along to the Intro Day was really hard for me. I was anxious, and doubtful about how it would help me. But I decided to go for it. Week by week, I kept pushing myself to speak up more in sessions, and my confidence started to grow. I built strong relationships with the other trainees, which I hadn’t expected to be the case.

In week four, I applied for a Nursery Apprenticeship. My Spear coaches supported me through a mock interview to help me prepare. The chance to practice was so valuable; I had great feedback, and I went into the real interview the next day feeling confident. I received a call straight away to offer me the job!

I now work at a Nursery and Primary School, and am loving it. The days are tiring but rewarding. Before the Spear Programme, I would never have imagined having the confidence to work in this kind of role. I’m so grateful to Spear for how they have supported me; I regularly pop in to say hello and keep in touch with the group.”

How you can support Spear Islington:

You can get involved and support the Spear Programme’s delivery in Islington in a number of ways, either as an individual or through your employer. The three key ways to support Spear Islington and its trainees are:

  • By volunteering – “We have opportunities to be involved with external panels or mock interviews.”
  • By referring – “Let us know about a young person in your network who might benefit from our services.”
  • By giving – “Resurgo and its partner Trusts are registered charities, so the Spear Programme only happens thanks to your generosity!”

 

To find out more about the Spear Programme, the Islington centre and how you can help, visit the Resurgo website today.