Has anyone done the Prince's Trust Personal Development course?

booklover

Hello everyone

My son has just started this 12 week course and I would really welcome anyone else's experience on this course..

I do hope he likes it as he has a few problems as I have mentioned before and rarely leaves the house...


Many thanks in advance

Josh2512

Hi. I have just completed a Personal Development Coach with the Prince’s Trust and it was absolutely brilliant. For any young person (who has had their cards stacked against them/ been in a bit of bother) to consider embarking on this course, they would be mad to miss out.

The young people get the chance to experience so many new things that should make their life that little bit easier when they finish the course.

They will learn skills and tips on interview techniques, applying for jobs and how to complete application forms correctly. They will then be able to put these new found skills into practice during the 3- weeks work placement that is part of the course.

The young people learn about stereotypes and how society views people differently. The group works hards both theorectically and practically.

They also get the chance to go on a Residential week, were they will work on ‘gelling together’ as a team, and form closer relationships with their peers.

The group also become involved in a Community project, where they have to raise the money, buy the materials needed and carry out the work on the project, to make like that little bit easier for the community group involved.

They also get the chance to see and experience Stormont buildings and other places of interest throughout NI.

The course, is hard work but thoroughly enjoyable. If the young person puts in the effort and commitment then they will get the most out of it.

If your son is willing to stick at the course and put in the effort, he will really enjoy it, and it should make his way in life that little bit easier.

I have seen young people who have lacked confidence, and had basic communications skills leave the course, a much stronger, confident person, who is ready to make things happen for themselves.

Hope this is of some helps

Ps Sorry for being so long winded!!

booklover

Hi Josh

Thanks so much for your very helpful, detailed reply. This has enabled me to gain a good in depth insight into what is actually involved in this course :cool:

Did I pick this up right, that you are a coach on this course>?

Anyway, my son has his first day over, and I am very pleased to report that he enjoyed it and is eager to return tomorrow :j :j

Hope he stays for the duration as it certainly seems very worthwhile.

Take care Josh and thanks again for being so helpful :T :T

Fiona

Ps. You weren't long-winded, dont worry.
Was it in Belfast that you were involved?

Josh2512

Hi Booklover

I completed a Development Coach Course, via the Prince’s Trust Course. (Companies such as Moy Park, Civil Service, PSNI and other large organizations, second individuals from their company to enhance their skills in communication, management of people, team working etc).

It’s a win-win for everyone – the Princes Trust has an extra member of staff for each course, and the company that the person works for ultimately gets back a more motivated, enthusiastic individual, able to develop new managerial skills learnt via the course!!

It gave me the opportunity to work with young people, and develop my managerial skills in order that I could use the newly acquired skills when I returned to my own job, within the Civil Service.

I actually completed my course in Newry, but all courses follow the same format, although some courses commence maybe one or two weeks later than other courses.

At the end of the 12 week course, you will get the opportunity to see just how much fun, enjoyment and hard work the members of the course put in, as they will be a Presentation Day, when the candidates are awarded their certificates.

Hope he does well on the course. :beer: But most of all enjoys it.

LMac

I did the Princes Trust Volunteer Scheme, which seems to be the same thing, just different name (was 7 years ago) in Newtownabbey.

I wasnt a troubled child in any way, just saw it in the job section and thought it sounded great! We did a lot of volunteer work (I think they estimated £1k worth of volunteer work done per young person , per course) and a work placement where I chose to volunteer at a charity that had requested help from PTV scheme, but wasnt chosen as one of our two main projects. On the residential I faced some of my fears (deep water and heights) by abseiling and swimming in a lake, thanks to the support of the other team members. I had a job sorted before I finished the course and entered it with an amazing amount of confidence, that I wouldnt have had before the course.

7 years on, I still look back very fondly on those few months and wouldnt mind doing it again! (Just checked and im still young enough...would need to ditch my job tho....its still tempting!)

flutterbyuk25

The 12 week programme is FANTASTIC!! :j

I was seconded from civil service for 14wks to work as an assistant for a 12 wk programme last year, and loved it so much that as of February I am leaving civil service to work for Prince's Trust full time as a Team Leader

The young people gain so much from it, they start off really quiet in the first week, then they all become friends and then never shut up! They make friends, gain important skills, gain work experience, learn how to write CV's, gain voluntary experience etc

Your son will thoroughly enjoy it, and so many young people end up going into employment/training/education afterwards it really has a positive impact upon them.

x

PS I'm in Wales

purt

How can one find out more about the course and volunteering etc? :cool:

flutterbyuk25

culchied wrote: »

How can one find out more about the course and volunteering etc? :cool:

www.princes-trust.org.uk

x