Manchester career skills programmes for 15-18 year-olds

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From insights into the construction trade, taster sessions in beauty, nails and make-up, and even a ‘Restaurant Wars’ catering challenge, organisations across Manchester are hosting a full programme of activity across the city.

Other careers covered include Childcare, Business Admin and Customer Service, alongside activities including trips, sport and social action projects, all designed to help with personal development.

The Manchester career skills programme – running for the first time – has been put together by Career Connect, who are commissioned by Manchester City Council to work across the city supporting young people into career or training opportunities.

Organisations taking part include Sale Sharks Community Trust, Collyhurst and Moston Boxing Club, The Princes Trust, NCS (National Citizens Service), Sure Start and The Manchester College.

There is no cost to young people or parents, lunches will be provided, and help is available to cover any travel costs.

Some Manchester career skills programmes run for a few days while others run for up to five weeks, helping participants to look at their options, try different career areas and develop some of the key skills they need to enter the world of work.

Sean McLaughlin, Team Manager at Manchester Career Connect said: “It has been a tough couple of years for our young people, and we are offering a range of engagement and development activities during the summer holidays to help beat boredom and allow young people aged 15-18 to gain experience and insight into jobs, careers and local education and training.

“We know there have not been as many opportunities for young people to meet employers or explore their career options over the past couple of years – and we also know that this can make a big difference to their future career paths.

“We are working with fantastic partners to make a range of interesting and enjoyable activities available across the city, including construction site visits, work tasters, sports, cookery, beauty, community improvement projects and personal skills development. They are all free and designed to support our young people in taking their next step in education and employment.”

For more information call, text or WhatsApp Sean McLaughin at Career Connect on 07896 292622 or email [email protected]

Follow Career Connect Manchester on Instagram: @connectmanchester

Full list of programmes:

• Budgeting, cookery and advice on post-16 opportunities, plus trip to Go Ape
  Mondays from 25 July-22 August, 2-5pm, and reward trips on 24 and 26 August
  Host: The Hideout Youth Zone
  Venue: Gorton Park, M12 plus trip to Go Ape
• Personal development activities and College tasters
  Ongoing
  Host: Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, The Manchester College, Prince’s Trust
  Location: Willow Park Youth Centre, Wythenshawe
• Introduction to the National Citizen Service
  Tuesdays until 2 August, followed by NCS residential week (8 August) and non-residential week (15 August)
  Host: The Growth Company
  Location: Central Manchester plus residential trip
•  Introduction to Hair and Beauty, practical taster sessions
  Ongoing until 26 August, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 10-2pm
  Host: Manchester International Beauty Academy
  Location: Central Manchester
• Boxing, physical activity and mentoring
  Ongoing until 19 August, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 1-3pm
  Host: Collyhurst and Moston Boxing Cub
  Location: Collyhurst and Moston Boxing Cub North Manchester – Moston, M40
• Sports, personal development and social activities, plus visits from employers, CV help and advice on building your LinkedIn profile
  Week beginning 25 July-week beginning 22 August, 1.00pm – 3.30pm
  Host: Sale Sharks Community Trust
  Locations: Mondays and Tuesdays at Moss Side, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Benchill
• Restaurant wars – teams of young people will compete to be crowned champion, designing a restaurant concept and menu and culminating in delivering a three-course menu to diners.
  First three weeks of August
  Host: Youth Zone, Harpurhey
  Location: Youth Zone, Harpurhey
• Career tasters in childcare, customer service and business administration and join a social action community project.
  Help Sure Start Centres renew their community gardens and allotments so that they can be enjoyed by visitors.
  August 15 and 22 (2-3 4-hour sessions per week)
  Hosts: Sure Start
  Location: Old Moat and Whalley Range Sure Start Centres
•  1-to-1 Mentoring, Engagement and Personal Development Activities
  Throughout summer
  Host: Career Connect
  Venues: City wide at community venues
• Personal development activities and College tasters
  Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11.00 – 14.00 for 3 weeks from 26 July
  Hosts: Manchester Youth Zone, The Manchester College, Prince’s Trust
  Location: North Manchester – Youth Zone and TMC Harpurhey campus
• Construction trades tasters, site tour, industry insight
  August – dates TBC
  Host: Equans/Engie
  Locations:  East Manchester/Gorton
• Construction trades tasters, site tour and industry insights
  August – July 29/August 1, all sessions 10.00 – 13.00 with lunch provided.
  Host: Warden
  Locations:
  • Manchester Museum, Oxford Road Entrance – Friday, 29 July – Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL
  • Broad Oak Primary School – Monday, 1 August – 19 Broad Oak Lane, East Didsbury, Manchester M20 5QB
  • The Sharp Project – Friday, 29 July – Thorp Road, Manchester, M40 5BJ