HR Headmistress Tackles Youth Unemployment With Free Workshop Nationwide

Online, July 24, 2011 (Newswire.com) - An increasing concern about the standards of knowledge, skills and confidence demonstrated by jobseekers leaving school has prompted Kate Russell, The HR Headmistress, one of the UK's foremost HR authors, consultants and public speakers, to create and offer free workshops called Build and Fly Your Own Rocket, to help prepare school leavers for the workplace.

"Initially, the workshops will be offered on a regional basis, but we aim to roll them out to schools across the UK." said Kate Russell.

Build and Fly Your Own Rocket comprises three key workshops, the first of which, Plan Your Journey, deals with choosing the right area of work. It also covers a section on HR as a career; Kate's major field of expertise.

Secondly, Build Your Own Rocket focuses on applying for a job and preparing CVs and cover letters. It deals with how to handle interviews and most importantly, gives clear guidance on how to stand out from the crowd.

The final workshop, Fly Your Own Rocket looks at what will be expected once in the workplace, how to keep a job and how to progress along the career path.

Job seekers will further have access to a number of helpful tools such as top tips for writing cover letters, interview style guides, template CVs and a SWOT tool check to help in choosing the right area of work to suit a candidate's interest and abilities. These are all featured on www.flyyourownrocket.co.uk free of charge for download.

Kate Russell commented: "I have seen so many young people leaving school who are hopelessly ill prepared for the workplace. The problem is too many young people are starting off life almost unemployable because they lack skills and confidence; and often their conduct in the recruitment process is not up to scratch. I want to do something practical by giving a reality check before they job hunt and get their expectations set in a realistic fashion about what it takes to secure and hold down a job. To sum it up, Build and Fly Your Own Rocket primarily deals with attitude and approach; the two key ingredients needed to get a job."

To date, the programme has been presented at schools in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire and has been getting an enthusiastic welcome from the children, careers councillors and school and college head teachers.

Susie Fisk is the programme co-ordinator. Schools and colleges interested in Build and Fly Your Own Rocket, which is free of charge, can contact Susie and Russell HR Consulting on: 0845 644 8955 or email [email protected].