BRAG’s Employability Coaches provide support across the whole of Fife, helping people aged 16 and over who are unemployed or experiencing barriers to employment. Recognising that every individual’s circumstances, goals and challenges are unique, our support is tailored to each person, ensuring they receive the guidance and opportunities that best meet their needs.
A recent success story demonstrates the value of this personalised approach. One of our Employability Coaches worked closely with an individual, B, whose route towards employment did not follow a traditional pathway, B’s story is below.
B was referred to Brag by the Job Centre. He had not engaged in employment or education for over a year. B was placed with an employability coach who discussed his interests and hopes for the future and helped to identify cyber security as a career of interest. After exploring college courses, B did not have the qualifications required for any suitable courses as he had missed a lot of time at school due to an ongoing health condition.
BRAG’s Employability Coach contacted Fife College careers guidance team and was advised that he would need to meet the entry requirements for this course and this led to further research on college courses which would enable him to gain the required qualifications but due to funding cuts there are no access courses available for him.
B agreed to a referral to ABE to gain modules that will increase his qualifications – knowing that ABE would not be able to facilitate the required qualifications for the required course.
The employability coach called the college again to discuss B’s predicament and explain his aptitude and current knowledge of the course content. This time they were advised to apply anyway and outline his suitability and current knowledge in his personal statement.
B worked closely with his employability coach, working on a strong personal statement that outlined his suitability and knowledge for his desired course as well as assisting him with his application and completing interview preparation for his interview with this college, although B lacked the qualifications required, B was successful in gaining a place on the course!
BRAG’s involvement, however, continued as his employability coach was aware that B was not confident about taking the bus from his home to the campus in Kirkcaldy. The keyworker accompanied him on a trial run of the bus journey and walked to the college, which he said he appreciated. They also had a look around the campus so that B would know the layout once he was a student.
This case highlights how, while employment remains the ultimate objective, the most appropriate next step for this individual is further education. By pursuing additional qualifications now, he will be better equipped to secure meaningful employment in a field that aligns with his interests, skills, and long-term career aspirations. This proactive approach is helping to lay the foundations for sustainable employment and a rewarding career that he can build on for years to come.