St Christopher's PEBLE project selected by London Councils

4 April 2007

St Christopher’s Preventing Exclusion by Learning Engagement (PEBLE) project has been chosen by London Councils to provide a much-needed support service for 16-17 year-olds at risk of exclusion from schools in inner London.

Over four thirteen-week periods, PEBLE will provide a comprehensive programme of advice, support and training for 60 young people from across seven inner London boroughs. All of them are facing exclusion from formal learning. The aim of PEBLE is to re-engage them using a combination of training, practical work experience, intensive advice and guidance.

The project will take a holistic approach, reflecting the needs of these young people and the issues they face. Training will be delivered flexibly via classroom learning, online learning and work-based learning, leading to National Open College Network (NOCN) Award for Progression – Preparation for Work qualifications.

The training courses provide a mix of independent living skills, employability skills, life skills and citizenship skills. The achievement of NOCN qualifications will enable trainees to re-enter formal learning and help them to overcome negative memories of education. St Christopher's will empower the young people to continue to learn by providing targeted outreach, counselling and support.

Each trainee will be able to select up to three trades to take part in work experience ‘tasters’ from a selection of employers that has been carefully developed and maintained by our London office over the last five years. These include construction, business and administration, customer service, retail and IT.

Work placements establish the link between training, the workplace and the ability to learn, as well as providing an extra level of support in the form of a mentor.

The PEBLE project will be funded by London Councils under its European Social Fund co-financing programme for 2007/08.