A hundred young people wanting to make a success of the transition from education to the world of work have been the first to try The Springboard Consultancy (SBC)’s recently developed ‘Boost’ training programme.

“Boost is a personal and work development programme for people who’re relatively new to the workplace, and in the early stages of their careers,” explained Jenny Daisley OBE, SBC’s joint-CEO.

Jenny Daisley OBE, of The Springboard Consultancy.

“The programme makes participants more career ‘savvy’ giving them a sense of direction and essential skills that will enable their careers to progress rapidly – along with the confidence to achieve their goals. For employers, Boost enables them to develop new staff to their fullest potential and gets staff up-and-running and making a contribution, more quickly.”

All of the young people who have completed the programme believe that their confidence level has now improved. In addition, 83% identified that their assertiveness skills had improved; 77% said they felt more in control of their time and energy; 72% believe that they now cope better with work colleagues and are more effective at work, and 55% agree that they are now better at dealing with customers.

Initially commissioned by a large government organisation, but now available to all those beginning their working lives, Boost is delivered through four one-day workshops. It also uses a support system of mentors, along with providing opportunities for networking and job shadowing.

“Among other things, Boost enables participants to decide what’s important to them; set career goals; raise confidence and personal effectiveness levels; hone communication and assertiveness skills, and balance work and personal life,” said Jenny.

The recent UK’s election campaign saw all the major parties promoting apprenticeships – with the Conservatives in particular pledging to fund 50,000 apprenticeships targeted at people aged between 22 and 24 who have been unemployed for more than six months.

According to a recent article in The Business Reporter, a study of 555 employers by Redshift Research found that apprenticeships can improve employee loyalty to a company, as well as increase business opportunities. Some 56% of those surveyed that offer apprenticeships report that apprentices stay longer than other recruits.

Of these, 59% say this is because of the quality of the training provided and more than half believe it’s down to apprentices having the ability to learn and grow in the business from the bottom up. In addition, one third of those who offer apprenticeships say apprentices are more committed to the business than other employees.

The research also showed that taking on apprentices marks businesses out from the crowd, with a third saying that by taking on apprentices they have been able to differentiate themselves from their competitors.

Jenny Daisley commented, “All of SBC’s development programmes – including Boost – are firmly based on the belief that everyone has untapped potential that can be developed – for the fulfilment of the individual, the benefit of her/his employer and the improved contribution to her/his community. Moreover, developing the whole person – not just the parts that come to work – means that change is integrated into people’s personal lives and so is sustained and more productive.”