Career development professionals provide activities and services which assist individuals seeking support
to affect a wide range of career transitions associated with life and career stages, including the development
of career ideas; these services include provision of information, ideas, tools and resources, career guidance
interviews and career coaching.
Access is open to everyone and although Springboard is based upstairs, a room
can be arranged downstairs for e.g. wheelchair users if required.
One-to-One Careers Interviews:
On an appointment basis, a professionally qualified careers consultant
provides clients with impartial, confidential careers Information, Advice and
Guidance (IAG) on :
- Career direction
- Job and education opportunities
- Analysis of skills, employment and education history
- Construction/update of CV
- Job search awareness, skills and practice
- Support of job applications
- Interview skills and practice.
Careers Software:
Clients have access to careers software, through Springboard, which allows them to identify
their interests and skills and potential suitable careers which match those skills.
The software we use is Kudos Adult Directions from Cascaid.co.uk
Internet-Based Job-Searching:
Springboard provides internet-based job-searching on a network of four modern computers
with broadband internet access.
Office Equipment and On-Going Support:
The computers have a current version of Microsoft Word for updating CV's and writing covering letters
or speculative application letters, a photocopier, and a telephone to make and receive calls to prospective
employers or agencies. Springboard volunteers provide on-going advice to implement changes to CV or
application forms as agreed with the career professional.
Voluntary Work
Springboard provides an opportunity for Clients to gain experience as office receptionist and administrator
to add to their CV and thus increase their chances of obtaining paid work.
Software Practice
Clients also use the computers to practise learning from word processing, spreadsheet or database training,
although these are not currently formally taught at Springboard.
Charges
As a self-financing organisation, we have to charge users for some use of the facilities:
Skills Audit, CV creation, Career Guidance: Depending on funding the first 3 sessions may be free,
but otherwise cost from £40.