Personal & Social Development, Employability at YEP
about the course:
Managing Money
Students develop financial literacy through comprehensive exploration of:
- Financial services provided by banks and building societies
- The advantages of saving money
- The benefits and drawbacks of borrowing
- Different payment methods and their strategic use
- Understanding earnings, deductions, and household budgeting
- Distinguishing between personal needs and wants while considering their costs
Preparing for the World of Work
Students gain practical knowledge about employment through:
- Understanding the advantages of being employed
- Exploring different types of employment contracts
- Developing effective job search strategies
- Interpreting payslip information
- Learning about employee rights
- Identifying workplace-valued interpersonal skills and behaviors
- Aligning career options with personal skills and interests
Essential Skills Development
Our programme deliberately incorporates all the skill builder competencies through carefully designed interactive sessions:
- Leadership and Creative Skills: These are primarily developed through specialized workshops that challenge students to step outside their comfort zones and discover new capabilities.
- Digital Skills: Students use G-Suite tools for all coursework and communication, preparing them for modern workplace technology requirements. Communication between tutor and learners primarily occurs through email and Google Classroom.
- Communication Skills: Regular group discussions with peers develop verbal skills, while electronic communication with tutors reinforces professional email etiquette—an essential workplace skill.
- Core Skills: In alignment with national requirements, we foster adaptability, resilience, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and information analysis.
- Speaking, Listening, Teamwork and Problem Solving: These cornerstone skills are emphasized throughout our sessions, which are structured around group discussions where students support and learn from each other.
- Staying Positive: Recognizing that many of our learners struggle with anxiety and self-esteem issues, each session begins with a 10-minute icebreaker that provides a safe space for students to express themselves and “vent” appropriately, helping them engage more effectively with the day’s learning.
Sustainability Focus
I integrate sustainability principles throughout our electronic-based curriculum, eliminating paper waste while teaching students about environmental responsibility. This approach connects with YEP’s broader sustainability initiatives across vocational courses, including:
- Fashion design and art “upcycling” sessions
- Motor vehicle part recycling and preservation
- Childcare resource reuse practices
- Cross-programme material repurposing
Progression Support
A core focus of my role is facilitating successful transitions from our programme into further education, employment, or apprenticeships. Working closely with our student support team, I:
- Guide students through applications for further education opportunities
- Support registration with the National Apprenticeship Service
- Assist with job applications and interview preparation
- Coordinate with colleagues who accompany students to interviews and open days
Community Connections
I maintain partnerships with numerous external organizations who deliver specialized workshops throughout the academic year, including:
- Various career development organizations including Work Pays and Juniper Training
- The Red Cross (Everyday First Aid)
- Living Without Abuse (Healthy Relationships)
- Leicestershire Police (Safety Awareness workshops on Knife Crime, County Lines, and Drug Awareness)
- Street Doctors (First Aid focused on Stab Wounds)
About the Tutor:
I serve as an Personal and Development, Employability Tutor at YEP,
where we specialise in supporting learners who are making their first steps back into education or who have previously faced challenges in traditional educational settings. Our programme is specifically designed for Learners working at Level 1/Level 2 and also cater for Entry Level 3 who haven’t yet reached the threshold for Advanced level study.
Drawing on my experience in the educational sector, I focus on developing crucial life skills that extend beyond academic achievement. A significant component of my work addresses the gap in financial literacy. I’m passionate about empowering our students with the ability to manage budgets effectively while simultaneously preparing them for their eventual progression beyond YEP.
Outside of my professional life, I’m an enthusiastic gamer who enjoys a wide variety of gaming genres and platforms. I have a particular passion for role-playing games (RPGs), appreciating their immersive storytelling, character development, and strategic elements. This gaming interest has proven invaluable in my work, serving as an excellent icebreaker with young people who often share this passion.
Gaming provides a common language that helps build rapport with students, many of whom light up when discovering this shared interest. Beyond the social connection, my gaming experience offers unique perspectives on strategy, problem-solving, and collaborative teamwork that frequently inform my educational approach. The digital literacy and community aspects of gaming also help me better understand the online environments many of our students navigate daily.
My ultimate goal is to guide each student toward their personal goals—whether qualification-related, personal, or both—providing them with the tools and confidence to succeed beyond our programme.
