How can I access funding for Training/Education?

Individual Learning Account (ILA) – If you earn £15,000 a year or less you can apply for an ILA that will give you £200 a year towards learning something new.
Free Helpline: 0808 100 1090. Website address: www.ilascotland.org.uk
CEDA can access funding for clients (who are eligible) to take up training that will allow them to take up and sustain employment within various occupational areas.
Additional Funding for Education can be accessed via Various Trust Funds.
Glasgow Educational & Marshall Trust – Telephone No: 0141 423 2169 for application form and guidance notes. Application for grants must be made in advance of the start of the course.

I don’t know what I want to do, how do I find out?

CEDA have various ‘guidance tools’ to assist client to identify and clarify their training or employment options.
FEATS (Future Education & Training Series) will assist you to identify your skills and qualities, what motivates you, how you prefer to learn and retain information. This exercise will also identify vocational areas to identify career or occupational areas that suit you most.
Adult Directions – a series of questions done online to provide guidance in relation to occupational and training areas
Career Match – Online information and questions for young people that will help clarify routes into training and or employment.

How do I get help to access an Apprenticeship?

CEDA will assist you to apply for one of the trade tests
We will then help you prepare for sitting the test
We have access to pre-apprenticeship training courses at various colleges throughout Glasgow.
We will assist you with job search activities to target our network of construction employers to gain an apprenticeship.

What will the Pre-apprenticeship courses offer me?

• A 20 week programme in a choice of trades including: joinery, painting and decorating, external rendering, electrical installation, plumbing and wall and floor tiling.
• Weekly training allowance of £60 plus £12.50 travel expenses.
• Protective clothing and a tool kit are provided.
• Work placement with a construction company.
• Completion bonus paid.
• Trade Test and Health & Safety preparation.
• Access to employment opportunities, C.V, Jobsearch and one to one support throughout.

Is there any financial assistance available?

CEDA has a range of financial support available to eligible clients to assist in securing employment and supporting you when you are in employment. This support can be used to help with living costs, clothing, work trials, training or workforce development.

Can I get help with CV and Jobsearch?

CEDA has a drop-in centre which offers clients support towards education, training, employment, volunteering and self-employment as well as internet access, access to vacancies, community information, assistance with application forms & C.V.’s, careers library, information on funding, learning software, free stationary and postage.

How will I know if I will be better off working?

Money Matters offers financial advice every Thursday at CEDA premises, including back to work calculations, tax credits and any other queries.

I live in Castlemilk, Where can I speak to a Careers Adviser?

If you want to go for a careers interview, then you can contact:
- Your School Careers Adviser by requesting a Careers Interview, Contact your Guidance teacher at school for a request form.
- Contact CEDA on 0141 634 1024 to arrange a careers interview. A Careers Scotland Careers Adviser is at CEDA every Wednesday from 9.30 – 4.30.
- Drop in to your local Careers Centre at Cathcart Careers Centre, 1018 Cathcart Road and request a careers interview. Open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
- You can discuss employment, training and education opportunities with a career adviser on a one-to-one basis.
- The Careers Adviser can help you get fixed up with something and you may be given an interview or start date for a job or training.
- It is also a good opportunity to discuss what you may be interested in without having to make any decisions straight away.
Careers Interviews are available for 16, 17 year olds but you can also have a careers interview if you are 18 or over called an All Age Guidance Interview.

I’m just about to leave school, who can help me to get fixed up with going to college, help to prepare for work or get a job?

• You can have a careers interview by requesting one at your school. Speak to your Guidance Teacher in school to arrange one.
• If you are over 16 years old, you can register with CEDA ( Open Monday-Friday 9-5) by seeing the duty advisor. Pop into Glenwood Business Centre ( Just behind the Castlemilk swimming pool). See Appendix (1)
• If you are not sure what you want to do and need some additional help to do these things then you can contact careers Key Workers Linda Bisset and Karen Cunningham on 634 1024 or pop into CEDA and ask for a meeting.
• Talk to any local youth worker about contacting these agencies on your behalf.

I am not confident in filling in forms, can anyone help me with this to get a job?

• You can get help filling in forms from Careers/ CEDA.
• If you have a Key Worker, they can help you with filling in forms.
• Reading and Writing Tutor Stuart Corkindale is also available at the Castlemilk Youth Complex on Friday mornings from 10.30 am – 2 pm.
• Ask a local youth worker about joining one of these sessions or phone the Youth Complex on 0141 630 0000.

I’m going to get chucked out of the house unless I get some money. What should I do?

• If you are 16, 17 years old, you could be eligible for a Get Ready for Work training place which includes a training allowance. Contact your local Careers Centre (Cathcart Careers Centre, 1018 Cathcart Road, 0141 636 6504).
• If you have just left school then your parent/guardian may be able to claim extended child benefit. Contact Child Benefits Helpline 0870 1555540 or your local Department of Work and Pensions 0141 4204100.
• You may be able to get some financial assistance in special circumstances. Pop into your local Job Centre (0141 8003400) for advice and information.
• Contact your local housing office and your local Housing Associations for housing application forms.
• If you have nowhere to stay, you can also present at the Hamish Allan Centre (0141 287 1800) or the Gorbals Social Work Homeless Casework Team (0141 2768201) and they may be able to provide you with temporary accommodation.

I don’t feel very confident, does this mean I can’t do anything?

• No it’s important that you do things at your own pace
• If you are unsure about what to do, you can contact CEDA and/or Careers for advice and support.
• These agencies will make you aware of local projects which can help increase your confidence.

I haven’t got any qualifications. What can I do?

Don’t panic! There are still lots of opportunities which are open to you without qualifications and there are different ways of gaining qualifications in the future.
• Lots of employers aren’t looking for qualifications.
• You can access some college courses which don’t ask for qualifications.
• You can get information on these courses by contacting the college directly, going to the school library or by coming along to CEDA and/or Careers.
• If you don’t like the idea of college, you can access Training Programmes where you will gain work experience in an subject which you are interested in.

My friend’s got a Careers Key Worker. How do I get one?

• You can ask your friend to talk to his/her Key Worker about meeting with a Key Worker.
• You can come into CEDA and ask about the Key Worker service.
• You can also go into your local careers centre or speak to your school careers adviser about being referred to a Key Worker.
• If you have a youth or social worker you can ask them to contact Key workers to arrange a meeting.

I really want to get fixed up with something but I don’t feel safe leaving my street to get advice. What can I do?

• First of all there are lots of agencies around to help you get advice on getting fixed up with something that you are interested in.
• To ensure that you receive advice and support, Careers “Key Workers” can often accompany you to and from relevant meetings/interviews to ensure that you do not miss out on opportunities. You can contact the Castlemilk Key Workers direct ( Karen Cunningham or Linda Bisset at CEDA in the Glenwood Business Centre, 21 Glenwood Place, 0141 634 1024) or speak to any Careers Adviser (either in school or at the local Careers Centre, 0141 636 6504) about getting Key Worker support.

Can CEDA help me start up in business?

Yes, we have helped hundreds of people start up businesses large and small including childminders, roofers, photographers, artists, musicians, cleaners, cafes, construction firms, hairdressing salons, gardeners, IT consultants, etc. whatever your idea we can help.

I have heard I will have to do a Business Plan, what’s that all about?

The thought of writing a business plan frightens many however we have professional advisers who have the experience and knowledge to take the fear out of planning a business. We are with you every step of the way.

Where can I get the money to start my own businesses?

We will help you source funds for the business from banks, public sector loans & grants and other awarding bodies. We will also help you prepare applications for funds and assist you throughout the process

How long will it be before I get started?

Some people take years to prepare for self-employment, others are ready to go from day one. The length of time it takes is entirely up to you.

What’s the best way to get customers?

Market Research. Understand your product & who your customer is. There is no winning strategy for all businesses because every business is different. Word of mouth works but it takes a lot longer than you expect. We will help to ensure that whatever form of marketing you use is the most effective one for you

If my prices are cheaper than everyone else’s then surely I’ll make a fortune?

This is rarely the truth. People equate price with quality. If you are the cheapest people will believe it is for a reason (unreliable, poor quality, bad service etc) plus you will bring in less money to help the business grow. Customers don't like it when you raise your prices so getting it right from the start is a must.

What are the things I need to know to run a business?

We can discuss all aspects of your business including regulations, tax, who to inform, insurance, bookkeeping, e-commerce, marketing, funding and premises.

Do many people from Castlemilk start businesses?

Castlemilk has a strong entrepreneurial spirit & Castlemilk is ideally located to capture nearby markets & opportunities.

So what is the first thing I should do?

Contact David Hughes on 0141 634 1024 or e-mail davidh@ceda.org.uk