Spend Wise Literacy Programme – Personal Financial Education

In February 2005, personal financial education was included in the Government's education proposals for 14 - 19 year olds. The White Paper stated the importance the Government placed on financial education in schools/colleges and has committed its support to the National Strategy Schools project. On the backdrop of this, SOAR AHEAD initiated, developed and now provides personal financial education, training workshops and sessions on budgeting skills, money savvy skills, financial education awareness and resources to young people aged 14 to 19 and young adults up to 25 years old.

The project aims to provide support and training to young people to gain greater confidence and control over their money, avoid indebtedness and be financially responsible by the time they become young adults. Young People are taught the importance of managing their income, drawing up budgets and the pitfalls that exist within the modern investment sectors. They are taught how to plan ahead financially and not fall into debt traps.

The ability to make financial decisions and choices is an essential skill for young people. Lack of basic skills can be the beginning of a cycle of disappointments and problems. Communicating even a few main pointers about budgeting, debt, planning, benefits of wise spending could contribute to the well being of a large number of young people and reduce some of the misery and despair that can occur through poor financial knowledge.

We have produced a young person's guide to budgeting, saving and wise spending which is currently being distributed free of charge in Schools, Colleges and Community Youth Organisations. The contents are based on feedback received from research conducted amongst young people. It creates an awareness of good spending habits, budgeting tips and basic information on where to seek advice/support with money related matters.

M-Ploy Educate to Elevate Programme

The “M-PLOY Educate to Elevate Programme” provides practical training and support that will help unemployed young people aged 16 - 25 become employable, find decent work and get out of the deprivation and exclusion trap. The workshops are free and are offered on a rolling programme which creates an opportunity for our beneficiaries from Black and Minority Ethnic communities, lone parents, unemployed youths, asylum seekers and refugees in the community to join at any time. The workshops offer;

Specialist 1-2-1 Career Planning, Career Coaching and Confidence Building
Volunteering Opportunities through Job Placement and Apprenticeship Programme
Skills and techniques for career success
Self-Assessment process to identify career strengths, weaknesses and opportunities and Writing the Perfect CV and gaining interviewing skills.

Our training workshops and sessions cover the following skills and action learning programmes;

Introduction to Career Management
Developing and Writing Your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Developing and Writing Your Cover Letter
Career Diagnostic Self-Assessment Tool
Interview Techniques – First Impressions
Modern Apprenticeship Programme
Perfect Answers to Tough Questions
Confidence Building – Key Success to Getting That Job
Career Goal Setting and Career Planning
Your First Interview - Frequently Asked Questions
Case Studies – Cover Letters (Learning the Dos and Don’ts)
Case Studies – CVs (Learning the Dos and Don’ts)
Effective Ways to Make Your First Job Work for You
Effective Time Management Skills