Clearing 2008 - Foundation Degree Courses – Places are still available on Foundation Degree courses through Clearing at City and Islington College. All of their higher education courses are run in partnership with City University London, London Metropolitan University or Queen Mary University of London.

Plan ahead for Zip travel discounts – TfL is reminding parents and young people to plan ahead to get free travel with Zip. Zip requires those aged 11-15, 16 and 18 who qualify for free bus and tram travel in London to carry and validate a free Oyster photocard. For further information please visit the site.

CLC Activity Agreement Pilot (AAP) - Places are available! - Are you working with young people who are 16/17 and have been NEET for at least 5 weeks?  Would they like to get a weekly allowance of £30, a dedicated PA, access to free courses and funds to help with travel, clothes, courses and equipment?  If the answer is YES, refer them now to see if they are eligible. To find out more contact your local AAP PA (details can be found here),  Bally Sappal (AAP Project Manager) or Joe Brooke-Smith (Projects Administrator) on tel 020 7938 8080. View the AAP Course Calendar to see what course are coming up!

Job Information Sheets - Check out the September Job Informations sheets on the CLC website.

Skills Challenge - This is a FREE 13 week Programme for 16-19 year olds, which will support young people in deciding where they hope to go, develop their employability skills and inspire motivation and self-confidence. If you have any young people that you know would be suitable for this course, please contact Leanne on 020 7501 5784 or Gemma on 020 7501 5324.

Prince’s Trust Programme – This scheme is a personal development programme for young people from the Prince’s Trust. It is run by Lambeth College at the Brit Oval in Kennington, InSpire in Camberwell and at the Adare Centre in Streatham. It offers a City & Guilds certificate in Personal, Teamwork and Community Skills as well as a residential away from London and Community Projects. The programme is free to anyone who is 16-18 and not in employment, education or training.

Global Xchange, a joint venture between VSO and The British Council is a free 6 month volunteering exchange programme for young people aged 18-25. The programme gives young people from different countries a unique opportunity to work together, to develop and share valuable skills and to make a practical contribution where it is needed in local communities.

Citizenship Foundations’ Mock Trial – The Magistrates' Court Mock Trial Competition will be open to entries for its 15th cycle from September. It aims to introduce young people to the legal system in an innovative and exciting way.

Clash and Connect Event  – During the October half-term Clash and Connect will bring together young people from across London to take part in an activity packed day featuring workshops, discussions and debates on a wide range of diversity issues and how they affect young people. Organised by London Youth, this event is open to both young people and youth workers. For further information and contact details click here.

Young people's involvement in Channel 4 show – Cheetah TV are producing a new series for Channel 4 about sex education and sexual health. The series is designed to encourage a better understanding and knowledge of all areas relating to sexual health for adults and teens alike. They are looking for bright, articulate teenagers that could have a discussion with the presenter about their views on sex in the media today. For more information, please call 0844 855 4500 or email timetotalk@ndemoluk.com.

The Philip Lawrence Awards 2008 – Nominations are now open for The Philip Lawrence Awards 2008. The national scheme recognises groups that are making a real contribution to their local community and the lives of others; and groups that promote respect and understanding of faiths, culture and communities internationally. Winning groups will receive cash awards of £1,000 to invest in their award winning activity. For more Information click here.

Unboxed Awards for Positive Activities for Young People – Supported by the City Parochial Foundation, £4,000 in total will be awarded to projects that can demonstrate they make use of original and imaginative approaches in engaging and working with young people. The closing date for online entries is 26 September 2008. Further information can be found here. 

Makin’ it Real Awards – Nominations are now open for Youth Action Network’s Makin' it Real Awards, designed to reward and recognise young people and workers who have made a positive difference to their local communities.

Young people's mental health website launched – Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health, social care and learning disabilities services in Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich in London has launched a website for young people with emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties.

Photography competition – CYWU/Unite are running a photographic competition for young people.  The theme of the competition is The Everyday Life Of Young People and the closing date for entries is 8 September 2008.

Ask a really interesting question science competition – The Centre for Applied Sciences at the City and Islington College has launched a competition to celebrate winning a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Science.  Year 9, 10 and 11 pupils are invited to submit a question they would ask a scientist to explain or explore if they had the opportunity. The most interesting question, will win a laptop, an iPod, and a year’s subscription to New Scientist magazine. The closing date for entries is 9 January 2009.

Second 11 MILLION Take Over Day Announced - Takeover Day this year will take place at the end of  Youth Work Week 2008 on the 7 November 2008. 11 MILLION are calling on Government, local authorities, businesses and charities to invite children and young people to ‘take over’ their organisations for the day.

BBC Radio Five Live - Opportunity For Young People To Attend Panel in Manchester - BBC Radio Five Live are currently looking for young people to attend a panel debate broadcast as part of the Labour Party Conference. As part of a live studio audience you could talk to politicians, put your views across and ask about the issues that concern you. Any number of young people can attend on Monday 22 September 2008. Please email fivelivewire@bbc.co.uk to get a ticket or call Lou Birt on 07841 004 442. 

Clearing 2008 - Foundation Degree Courses – Places are still available on Foundation Degree courses through Clearing at City and Islington College. All of their higher education courses are run in partnership with City University London, London Metropolitan University or Queen Mary University of London.

Plan ahead for Zip travel discounts – TfL is reminding parents and young people to plan ahead to get free travel with Zip. Zip requires those aged 11-15, 16 and 18 who qualify for free bus and tram travel in London to carry and validate a free Oyster photocard. For further information please visit the site.

CLC Activity Agreement Pilot (AAP) - Places are available! - Are you working with young people who are 16/17 and have been NEET for at least 5 weeks?  Would they like to get a weekly allowance of £30, a dedicated PA, access to free courses and funds to help with travel, clothes, courses and equipment?  If the answer is YES, refer them now to see if they are eligible. To find out more contact your local AAP PA (details can be found here),  Bally Sappal (AAP Project Manager) or Joe Brooke-Smith (Projects Administrator) on tel 020 7938 8080. View the AAP Course Calendar to see what course are coming up!

Job Information Sheets - Check out the September Job Informations sheets on the CLC website.

Skills Challenge - This is a FREE 13 week Programme for 16-19 year olds, which will support young people in deciding where they hope to go, develop their employability skills and inspire motivation and self-confidence. If you have any young people that you know would be suitable for this course, please contact Leanne on 020 7501 5784 or Gemma on 020 7501 5324.

Prince’s Trust Programme – This scheme is a personal development programme for young people from the Prince’s Trust. It is run by Lambeth College at the Brit Oval in Kennington, InSpire in Camberwell and at the Adare Centre in Streatham. It offers a City & Guilds certificate in Personal, Teamwork and Community Skills as well as a residential away from London and Community Projects. The programme is free to anyone who is 16-18 and not in employment, education or training.

Global Xchange, a joint venture between VSO and The British Council is a free 6 month volunteering exchange programme for young people aged 18-25. The programme gives young people from different countries a unique opportunity to work together, to develop and share valuable skills and to make a practical contribution where it is needed in local communities.

Citizenship Foundations’ Mock Trial – The Magistrates' Court Mock Trial Competition will be open to entries for its 15th cycle from September. It aims to introduce young people to the legal system in an innovative and exciting way.

Clash and Connect Event  – During the October half-term Clash and Connect will bring together young people from across London to take part in an activity packed day featuring workshops, discussions and debates on a wide range of diversity issues and how they affect young people. Organised by London Youth, this event is open to both young people and youth workers. For further information and contact details click here.

Young people's involvement in Channel 4 show – Cheetah TV are producing a new series for Channel 4 about sex education and sexual health. The series is designed to encourage a better understanding and knowledge of all areas relating to sexual health for adults and teens alike. They are looking for bright, articulate teenagers that could have a discussion with the presenter about their views on sex in the media today. For more information, please call 0844 855 4500 or email timetotalk@ndemoluk.com.

The Philip Lawrence Awards 2008 – Nominations are now open for The Philip Lawrence Awards 2008. The national scheme recognises groups that are making a real contribution to their local community and the lives of others; and groups that promote respect and understanding of faiths, culture and communities internationally. Winning groups will receive cash awards of £1,000 to invest in their award winning activity. For more Information click here.

Unboxed Awards for Positive Activities for Young People – Supported by the City Parochial Foundation, £4,000 in total will be awarded to projects that can demonstrate they make use of original and imaginative approaches in engaging and working with young people. The closing date for online entries is 26 September 2008. Further information can be found here. 

Makin’ it Real Awards – Nominations are now open for Youth Action Network’s Makin' it Real Awards, designed to reward and recognise young people and workers who have made a positive difference to their local communities.

Young people's mental health website launched – Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health, social care and learning disabilities services in Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich in London has launched a website for young people with emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties.

Photography competition – CYWU/Unite are running a photographic competition for young people.  The theme of the competition is The Everyday Life Of Young People and the closing date for entries is 8 September 2008.

Ask a really interesting question science competition – The Centre for Applied Sciences at the City and Islington College has launched a competition to celebrate winning a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Science.  Year 9, 10 and 11 pupils are invited to submit a question they would ask a scientist to explain or explore if they had the opportunity. The most interesting question, will win a laptop, an iPod, and a year’s subscription to New Scientist magazine. The closing date for entries is 9 January 2009.

Second 11 MILLION Take Over Day Announced - Takeover Day this year will take place at the end of  Youth Work Week 2008 on the 7 November 2008. 11 MILLION are calling on Government, local authorities, businesses and charities to invite children and young people to ‘take over’ their organisations for the day.

BBC Radio Five Live - Opportunity For Young People To Attend Panel in Manchester - BBC Radio Five Live are currently looking for young people to attend a panel debate broadcast as part of the Labour Party Conference. As part of a live studio audience you could talk to politicians, put your views across and ask about the issues that concern you. Any number of young people can attend on Monday 22 September 2008. Please email fivelivewire@bbc.co.uk to get a ticket or call Lou Birt on 07841 004 442. 

Teenage mental health: A generation under stress? Girlguiding UK have published their latest Girls shout out report. The report suggests that pressure to grow up quickly, materialism, boredom, bullying and premature sexualisation are taking their toll on the emotional well being of girls and young women.

Job losses hit UK’s young – More than two out of five people who became unemployed in the past three months were under the age of 25, warned The Prince’s Trust this week, responding to the new Office for National Statistics’ Labour Market report.

Inequality just as bad as poverty for children – The TUC has published a briefing this week revealing that inequality is just as damaging to children as poverty, and harms their health, education and well-being.

Barnardo's calls for vocational focus - Children's charity Barnardo's has called for a greater focus on vocational training and support as this year's GCSE results are unveiled. To read more click here.

Britain socialises across age gap – The Full of Life campaign is a government initiative to celebrate the role that older people play in society. The study suggested that young people have the broadest social circles with two thirds of 15 to 25 year olds regularly spending time with those older or younger than them.

British Youth Council sets out targets - Votes at 16, equal minimum wages for young people and fair funding for those in higher education are among the priorities for the British Youth Council in 2008/09. To read more click here.

Teens cause parents greatest concern, reveals YoungMinds – Nearly half (46 %) of parents contacting YoungMinds Parents Information Service for advice are worried about their 12-16 year olds, latest statistics show.

Eurodesk – The latest Eurodesk bulletin, with information on events and opportunities in Europe, is available to download.

Teenage mental health: A generation under stress? Girlguiding UK have published their latest Girls shout out report. The report suggests that pressure to grow up quickly, materialism, boredom, bullying and premature sexualisation are taking their toll on the emotional well being of girls and young women.

Job losses hit UK’s young – More than two out of five people who became unemployed in the past three months were under the age of 25, warned The Prince’s Trust this week, responding to the new Office for National Statistics’ Labour Market report.

Inequality just as bad as poverty for children – The TUC has published a briefing this week revealing that inequality is just as damaging to children as poverty, and harms their health, education and well-being.

Barnardo's calls for vocational focus - Children's charity Barnardo's has called for a greater focus on vocational training and support as this year's GCSE results are unveiled. To read more click here.

Britain socialises across age gap – The Full of Life campaign is a government initiative to celebrate the role that older people play in society. The study suggested that young people have the broadest social circles with two thirds of 15 to 25 year olds regularly spending time with those older or younger than them.

British Youth Council sets out targets - Votes at 16, equal minimum wages for young people and fair funding for those in higher education are among the priorities for the British Youth Council in 2008/09. To read more click here.

Teens cause parents greatest concern, reveals YoungMinds – Nearly half (46 %) of parents contacting YoungMinds Parents Information Service for advice are worried about their 12-16 year olds, latest statistics show.

Eurodesk – The latest Eurodesk bulletin, with information on events and opportunities in Europe, is available to download.

CLC Courses - There are still places left for Employabilty, Achieving National IAG Standards and Group Work Skills courses which are all taking place in September. To register on to one of these courses or any forthcoming courses, log on training at www.centrallondonconnexions.org.uk with your username and password. If you do not have a username or password or have forgotten your details, please contact CLCTraining@rbkc.gov.uk.

Youth Work Qualifications – The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award London Regional Office are offering the opportunity for youth support workers across the region to access two nationally recognised Youth Work qualifications. Currently available is the ABC Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work and the ABC Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work.

New Participation Works ‘How To’ Guide - How to use multimedia tools to engage children and young people in decision-making. This guide sets out a wide range of media tools you could use in your work with children and young people. It also provides a range of multimedia toolkits with information and tips on using specific tools.

How Can Society Best Deal with Guns, Knives and Gangs? – This CPPS seminar brings together key figures from across sectors in the important debate on how to tackle guns, knives and gangs and their underlying causes. This event will take place on 22 September in London and will cost £345 per delegate.

UK Youth Training Calendar – UK Youth have a number of training events in the next few months, including Disabled and Non Disabled Young People Working Together on 16 September and Emotional Intelligence on 1 October 2008. For more information please visit their website. They are also offering a second series of one day seminars looking at ways of accrediting the work of young volunteers through YAA.

Keep The Promise Event – End Child Poverty are holding the UK's biggest ever event to end child poverty this year to demand a better future for all our children. The event will take place on 4 October 2008 in London.

Introduction to Youth Challenges and Youth Achievement Awards – This training, organised by UK Youth, is aimed at anyone who is new to or currently considering delivering the Youth Challenges and Youth Achievement Awards with young people. It should be emphasised that attendance at an introductory training day is a basic requirement for delivering the Youth Challenges and Youth Achievement Awards. It will take place on 23 September in London and will cost £130 VAT per person.

UK Youth Online is a unique gathering of people interested in how new technology, social media and online tools impact upon work with young people. The event will take place in London on 27 September 2008. Participation is free, but sponsorship or donations are invited to help cover the cost of lunch.

How to get the best from your team... =mc are offering a number of Leadership training programmes for managers or those who are stepping into a managerial role. For more information click here.

CLC Courses - There are still places left for Employabilty, Achieving National IAG Standards and Group Work Skills courses which are all taking place in September. To register on to one of these courses or any forthcoming courses, log on training at www.centrallondonconnexions.org.uk with your username and password. If you do not have a username or password or have forgotten your details, please contact CLCTraining@rbkc.gov.uk.

Youth Work Qualifications – The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award London Regional Office are offering the opportunity for youth support workers across the region to access two nationally recognised Youth Work qualifications. Currently available is the ABC Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work and the ABC Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work.

New Participation Works ‘How To’ Guide - How to use multimedia tools to engage children and young people in decision-making. This guide sets out a wide range of media tools you could use in your work with children and young people. It also provides a range of multimedia toolkits with information and tips on using specific tools.

How Can Society Best Deal with Guns, Knives and Gangs? – This CPPS seminar brings together key figures from across sectors in the important debate on how to tackle guns, knives and gangs and their underlying causes. This event will take place on 22 September in London and will cost £345 per delegate.

UK Youth Training Calendar – UK Youth have a number of training events in the next few months, including Disabled and Non Disabled Young People Working Together on 16 September and Emotional Intelligence on 1 October 2008. For more information please visit their website. They are also offering a second series of one day seminars looking at ways of accrediting the work of young volunteers through YAA.

Keep The Promise Event – End Child Poverty are holding the UK's biggest ever event to end child poverty this year to demand a better future for all our children. The event will take place on 4 October 2008 in London.

Introduction to Youth Challenges and Youth Achievement Awards – This training, organised by UK Youth, is aimed at anyone who is new to or currently considering delivering the Youth Challenges and Youth Achievement Awards with young people. It should be emphasised that attendance at an introductory training day is a basic requirement for delivering the Youth Challenges and Youth Achievement Awards. It will take place on 23 September in London and will cost £130 VAT per person.

UK Youth Online is a unique gathering of people interested in how new technology, social media and online tools impact upon work with young people. The event will take place in London on 27 September 2008. Participation is free, but sponsorship or donations are invited to help cover the cost of lunch.

How to get the best from your team... =mc are offering a number of Leadership training programmes for managers or those who are stepping into a managerial role. For more information click here.

Most graduates will take more than a decade to get their finances in shape following loans and top-up fees. The credit crunch is hitting finance and construction (two major graduate industries). So is a degree still a good investment?

Until recently there has been little doubt about the value of higher education. Surveys by the DfES show that people with a higher education qualification earn, on average, 50% more than people without and graduate skills are also in more demand by employers than ever before. Incomes Data Services (IDS) have reported that overall graduate vacancies are predicted to rise by 12.2% this year, despite the credit crunch.

But just having a degree is not a guarantee of a good job. Few people would be surprised to find that graduates from vocational subjects, such as medicine and civil engineering, tend to do well in the job market. However, many are surprised to find that a subject like media studies has consistently higher graduate employment than a subject like IT. A degree opens doors but a lot depends on both what the degree is and the skills and abilities the graduate has.

Are there alternatives to full-time study?

Not all of those who opt not to study full-time will have poorer pay and prospects in the long-term. Despite the expansion of higher education there are still Central London employers offering jobs with good prospects to those with A Level or equivalent qualifications. This year, for example, the Bank of England offered an A Level entrant programme and a number of accountancy firms had opportunities that could lead to professional qualifications. In construction and engineering there were opportunities to combine training on-the-job with part-time study for degree or professional qualifications.

Young people in Central London are often more reluctant to consider none-graduate options than those in other parts of the UK. One consequence of this is that there are still employers looking to fill some good A Level opportunities (on www.lois.uk.net) with those having second thoughts about HE.

Will a degree continue to be a good investment?

Of course, the credit crunch is having an effect on both graduate and A Level recruitment in finance. IDS reports that finance firms are planning to take on 14.7% fewer graduates this year and at least one bank has stopped recruiting A Level trainees in London. Graduate salaries now look likely to rise in line with the cost of living, rather than leaping ahead. However, many banks continue to take graduates and school and college leavers into customer service jobs. For those considering HE, predictions are that the downturn will be over by the time they graduate.

Obviously, doing a degree is not solely about financial rewards but, according to the report ‘Seven Years On: Graduate Careers in a Changing Labour Market’ "...even in narrow economic terms, there is a long way to go before a degree is likely to become a poor investment". The expansion of higher education in recent years has not led to a widespread movement of graduates into lower paid jobs with poor career development prospects.

It is important for potential undergraduates to find out the facts about their chosen degree and not rely on hearsay. For those who do not wish to continue studying full time it is still possible to break into London’s specialised and professional labour market but it will mean combining work with study and training.

The UK’s official graduate careers website www.prospects.ac.uk

Most graduates will take more than a decade to get their finances in shape following loans and top-up fees. The credit crunch is hitting finance and construction (two major graduate industries). So is a degree still a good investment?

Until recently there has been little doubt about the value of higher education. Surveys by the DfES show that people with a higher education qualification earn, on average, 50% more than people without and graduate skills are also in more demand by employers than ever before. Incomes Data Services (IDS) have reported that overall graduate vacancies are predicted to rise by 12.2% this year, despite the credit crunch.

But just having a degree is not a guarantee of a good job. Few people would be surprised to find that graduates from vocational subjects, such as medicine and civil engineering, tend to do well in the job market. However, many are surprised to find that a subject like media studies has consistently higher graduate employment than a subject like IT. A degree opens doors but a lot depends on both what the degree is and the skills and abilities the graduate has.

Are there alternatives to full-time study?

Not all of those who opt not to study full-time will have poorer pay and prospects in the long-term. Despite the expansion of higher education there are still Central London employers offering jobs with good prospects to those with A Level or equivalent qualifications. This year, for example, the Bank of England offered an A Level entrant programme and a number of accountancy firms had opportunities that could lead to professional qualifications. In construction and engineering there were opportunities to combine training on-the-job with part-time study for degree or professional qualifications.

Young people in Central London are often more reluctant to consider none-graduate options than those in other parts of the UK. One consequence of this is that there are still employers looking to fill some good A Level opportunities (on www.lois.uk.net) with those having second thoughts about HE.

Will a degree continue to be a good investment?

Of course, the credit crunch is having an effect on both graduate and A Level recruitment in finance. IDS reports that finance firms are planning to take on 14.7% fewer graduates this year and at least one bank has stopped recruiting A Level trainees in London. Graduate salaries now look likely to rise in line with the cost of living, rather than leaping ahead. However, many banks continue to take graduates and school and college leavers into customer service jobs. For those considering HE, predictions are that the downturn will be over by the time they graduate.

Obviously, doing a degree is not solely about financial rewards but, according to the report ‘Seven Years On: Graduate Careers in a Changing Labour Market’ "...even in narrow economic terms, there is a long way to go before a degree is likely to become a poor investment". The expansion of higher education in recent years has not led to a widespread movement of graduates into lower paid jobs with poor career development prospects.

It is important for potential undergraduates to find out the facts about their chosen degree and not rely on hearsay. For those who do not wish to continue studying full time it is still possible to break into London’s specialised and professional labour market but it will mean combining work with study and training.

The UK’s official graduate careers website www.prospects.ac.uk

Trevor Fellowes, Director of Learner Support at the Learning and Skills Council, has said:

“We are committed to ensuring all young people eligible for EMA, get paid. No young person will lose out. We will backdate all payments for applications received within 28 days of when a course starts. This has always been our commitment, during the 5 years that EMA has been in operation. This year there have been some unacceptable delays in notifying learners that they are eligible and we are working closely with Liberata to make this happen. The company has taken on an additional 400 extra staff, at their expense, to ensure a swift turnaround. To date 157,000 applications have been fully assessed, and of these 133,000 youngsters have already been told they will receive their payment. The LSC estimates that about 150,000 applications are experiencing delays caused by technical problems. These will be processed over the next few weeks. Regrettably we have experienced some delays in the process, including some technical difficulties with the helpline, but we are committed to resolving these to make sure learners receive their money promptly”.

The contract was awarded to Liberata after a substantial and detailed procurement exercise, the normal practice across Government.

 

Trevor Fellowes, Director of Learner Support at the Learning and Skills Council, has said:

“We are committed to ensuring all young people eligible for EMA, get paid. No young person will lose out. We will backdate all payments for applications received within 28 days of when a course starts. This has always been our commitment, during the 5 years that EMA has been in operation. This year there have been some unacceptable delays in notifying learners that they are eligible and we are working closely with Liberata to make this happen. The company has taken on an additional 400 extra staff, at their expense, to ensure a swift turnaround. To date 157,000 applications have been fully assessed, and of these 133,000 youngsters have already been told they will receive their payment. The LSC estimates that about 150,000 applications are experiencing delays caused by technical problems. These will be processed over the next few weeks. Regrettably we have experienced some delays in the process, including some technical difficulties with the helpline, but we are committed to resolving these to make sure learners receive their money promptly”.

The contract was awarded to Liberata after a substantial and detailed procurement exercise, the normal practice across Government.