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Our Steps into Health and Social Care course offers an opportunity to all young people seeking employment in the sector to develop their employability skills. During the course, participants can choose bitesize online sessions and get access to one-to-one mentoring support with our expert youth development leads.
This course has supported many 16 to 30-year-olds into jobs and their chosen career paths. Below is a Q&A with one of our inspirational course participants, Rania, and her mentor Charlie, who is also a Prince’s Trust youth development lead.
Initially I had regretted submitting my details to the Trust because I did not know if it would work out or whether I was even employable.Rania
Rania, can you tell us why you decided to sign up for the Prince’s Trust Steps into Health and Social Care course?
I was a recent graduate struggling to submit applications for work due to various reasons including mental health struggles and lack of confidence to fully go through an application process. When I submitted my details to the Trust, I was completely nervous, apprehensive and was not sure of the support I would receive. Initially I had regretted submitting my details to the Trust because I did not know if it would work out or whether I was even employable.
How did you feel when you started?
I had many doubts and low confidence due to my lack of experience in going through professional processes.
You went onto the Steps into Health and Social Care course where you get a mentor. What was that like?
My mentor Charlie was open minded, took the time to learn about me and my situation and to understand how she could tailor herself to support me best. My mentor was very attentive to me and guided me by providing me with various tools, such as guidance of career paths, job applications and building my confidence. Talking to my mentor feels natural and she is incredibly kind and reassuring. Having the 1-2-1 support allowed me to feel comfortable to express any issues I had whilst simultaneously gaining new skills and insight to the workforce, especially the NHS.
Having the one-to-one support allowed me to feel comfortable to express any issues I had whilst simultaneously gaining new skills and insight to the workforce, especially the NHS.Rania
How did the Prince’s Trust course help?
It changed me and gave me the confidence to submit applications and to attend interviews for the first time. I also learnt how to produce a CV and a covering letter for the first time. I gained insight into techniques to use during interviews to successfully discuss my skills and I have enjoyed having the support where my mentor answered any questions I had or in supporting me in writing my cover letter.
What will you take from the course into your future?
I have learnt to give myself more credit and I could not ask for a better mentor. With the support provided, I hardly recognise myself. I feel a level of confidence I never previously had. I feel more calm and more positive towards application processes and working in general. As a result, I have been able to submit a few applications independently, but I am also aware my mentor is available to support me should I need it.
Any last words?
My mentor is very patient, kind and an absolute gem. I still can hardly grasp how much her support has impacted me and motivated me to achieve my goals.
Rania applied for three jobs within the NHS, attended three interviews, and was successful for all three job roles. She has now successfully accepted a job role as Band 2 HCA in an NHS hospital.Charlie
What did you think when you first met Rania?
When I first met Rania, I was immediately impressed with her professionalism. She was organised, reliable, honest, and consistent. I knew from our first session together, that she only needed someone to teach her a new perspective. To shed light on her accomplishments, recognition of her skills and provide her with the support she needed to build her confidence. She is dedicated and has been a pleasure to support.
What did you do during your mentoring sessions?
During our mentoring sessions, we discussed and researched career paths, job platforms and descriptions, as well as varied organisations. We practiced interview techniques and created CVs, cover letters, job applications and more. Rania was completely dedicated to learning from our mentoring sessions and applied these skills independently.
What was the outcome of your one-to-one support with Rania?
Rania applied for three jobs within the NHS, completed all necessary documents, attended three interviews and was successful for all three job roles. She has now successfully accepted a job role as Band 2 HCA in an NHS hospital. If I know Rania, there will be no doubt that she will pinpoint her next career goal soon and start working towards that in no time.
Any last words?
I couldn’t be prouder of you Rania. With all your motivation and courage, you will continue to be a huge success and I am proud to have supported you on your journey 😊