Are you ReadytoWork?

Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can, there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.

Sarah Caldwell

There is a reason why there is secondary school after primary school, university after secondary school, diplomas, graduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, PhDs, you name it. It’s because learning never ends. There will always be something new to learn. The ReadytoWork programme is an enabler for this continuous learning.

ReadytoWork provides a valuable bridge between the worlds of school, college or university and that of work. This job preparation initiative enables school leavers and university graduates, to explore and develop the skills required for a successful transition into employment or self-employment. It has learning modules that address work, people, money and entrepreneurial skills, with which young people will be able to broaden their employability skill set.

The ReadytoWork initiative has four modules;

1. Work Skills: This module provides young people with the knowledge and skills required to find and secure employment. It helps young people to discover, learn and apply the knowledge and skills they need to prepare themselves for employment and to engage with the job market. The work skills module covers topics like how to get a job and keep it, and how to go about an interview.
2. People Skills: In a workplace, every day provides ample opportunities to work with others to get the job done. Young people who have good people skills are able to work in teams, share ideas, build relationships and complete tasks with their colleagues. This module covers the different people skills that are required in the workplace and provides young people with the opportunity to reflect on their skills in this area. Developing effective communication skills and understanding emotional intelligence are some of the topics covered here.
3. Money Skills: Financial control starts with a plan that outlines what to pay, what to buy and how much to save. Instead of having our expenses wreak havoc and powerlessly standing by while money is being spent, financial control urges young people to set a financial plan that begins with knowing exactly where their money is going and why. By prioritizing and deciding ahead of time exactly how money will be spent and why, the young person is placed back in control of their money. This module outlines steps to be taken to regain financial control and then provides the opportunity for young people to evaluate their financial control mechanisms and identify areas for improvement. This module covers topics like spending and saving wisely, and making a budget and sticking to it.
4. Entrepreneurial Skills: While the option to be your own boss, work independently and not have to answer to anyone may be a favorable one, the amount of work it takes to successfully execute a business idea is often underestimated by graduates and school leavers. Entrepreneurship should be encouraged, but the realities involved in the decision to start your own business must be understood before embarking on the journey. This module outlines important things to consider when contemplating self-employment and provides young people with the opportunity to reflect on the suitability of self-employment as an option. The topics covered in this module include considering self-employment and setting up your business.

These are important skills for young people, whether they are interested in getting employed or being self-employed, and should therefore be equipped with.

The ReadytoWork programme is free to everyone, simply register and login to access the information – you  can select a module(s) depending on your learning needs.