College News

Mentoring Scheme Hailed as a Success

A scheme to help students develop their employability skills has proven to be a triumph once again. Darlington Cares – a partnership of the town’s employers whose skills and expertise are matched to community projects – has worked with 40 second-year students at QE to help them tackle job applications, interviews, improve their CVs and heighten awareness of the range of career options available. A pilot of the employability scheme was launched last year and, following its success, the scheme was expanded to accommodate more students, mentors and sessions. Over six one-hour sessions, seven mentors from Darlington Borough Council, Darlington College, Sainsbury’s and the Student Loans Company have worked with groups of students. The one-hour sessions focused on job applications and searches, CVs and interview technique. 87 per cent of the students who participated felt more confident in their approach to searching and applying for jobs and all would recommend the scheme to others. Katie Blundell, Project Manager for Darlington Cares, said: “The feedback from both the students and mentors has been excellent. “The attendance rate for all the sessions was very high and demonstrates the value young people get from real world guidance and advice from the local business community. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with QE and working with young people and local businesses to offer employability skills support.’ For more information about Darlington Cares, visit darlingtoncares.co.uk