Get Ready for Work (Scotland)

What’s Get Ready For Work?

‘The tutors are really good – they’re there for you. It’s not like school, they listen to you – they say their bit and you say yours.’

Get Ready For Work helps you get a job, a Skill Seekers Modern Apprenticeship or into further education like college.

We’ll talk to you about what you want to do. We’ll help you to make the right choices.

Can I apply?

You can join if you’re 16-18.

Skills Development Scotland / Careers Scotland will be able to tell you if you can join or talk to a Rathbone centre

What do I get from Get Ready For Work?

‘It’s a different environment with different people – not like school.’

‘Everything was presented in a less confusing way – it really helped me.’

Increased confidence to help you go forward.
New friends – Rathbone centres are small and friendly.
You get work placements that are right for you – young people tell us that getting work experience is just what they need and employers tell us they want to employ people who’ve got work experience.
You’ll get help with life issues from your own personal tutor.
You’ll get help with using numbers, communications and ICT.
The qualifications employers or college want.
A CV, help with filling in application forms and interview practice to help you get to where you want to be.

Do I get paid?

Yes. You can get an allowance of £55 a week plus travel expenses.

How many hours do I do a week?

You’ll do 25 hours a week.

How long does Get Ready For Work last?

Usually for a maximum of up to 26 weeks – we devise a programme around you so it depends on what you need.

Do I need qualifications?

‘The booklets were specially made for you – not like a text book.’

No, Get Ready For Work can help you get qualifications. We look at you, what you’re interested in and we’ll give you extra help where you need it.

Get Ready For Work is different to college or school – you’ll do your learning in a different way.

What qualifications can I get?

‘For me, there was lots of work with computers which I loved. I work with ear phones on – at my pace. It wasn’t like a classroom. I didn’t get embarrassed at the speed I was working. I knew I could get help where I needed it, and work at my pace.’

‘The team work was really good for me – I didn’t think I’d like it but I did. We’d do a project together every week, it was a good laugh and it made me more confident.’

You can get qualifications that employers or college want:

Improve the way you learn
Communications
Numeracy
ICT
Problem solving
Working with others
Manual Handling
Employability – this helps you understand the world of work
Health and Safety Level 1
First Aid

What can I do after Get Ready For Work?

You can do a Skill Seekers Modern Apprenticeship where you earn while you learn at work.
You can move into a job.
You can go to college to do a course.

Why choose Rathbone?

Rathbone is a charity – we work with 1000s of young people all over the country.

‘You have an adult relationship with tutors, you call them by their first name and you get to know them as people.’

We’re learning experts – we know that people learn in different ways, we’ll find the right way for you.

We’ll support you with work and personal issues. People tell us that the support we give them with life stuff and practical things like filling in forms or getting a bank account is one of the best things about Rathbone.