We’re now accepting referrals and applications for the next run of our Move On Employability Pathway (MOEP) training programme. The course begins on the 5th of July 2022!

MOEP is a new stage 2 employability course, supported by the City of Edinburgh Council. MOEP is extra exciting as it allows us to support young people of a wide range of ages, who are facing many different challenges to entering the world of work.

Who Can Apply

The course is open to any young person aged 16-19, who has left, or who will leave full time education in the next 6 months, lacking qualifications or positive destinations. We also offer spaces on the course to young people aged up to 26 who are facing personal barriers to finding work. This includes, and is not limited to;

  • Challenges within their socio-economic background, including living in an employment-deprived area of Edinburgh, or a jobless household
  • Physical or mental disability, including impairment and long-term health conditions
  • Experience within the care system
  • Prior convictions, or experience with the criminal justice system
  • Experience with, or at risk of, homelessness
  • Young carers
  • Lack of skills or qualifications
  • Discrimination due to belonging to an ethnic minority group

The Course

The MOEP consists of an 8 week programme taking place 2 days per week on Tuesday and Wednesday. Our next intake will run from the 5th of July to the 24th of August 2022.

MOEP offers a mix of classroom-based learning and practical work experience. The hands-on experience takes place through our social enterprise, Move On Wood Recycling (MOWR). MOWR is a busy waste wood recycling centre, workshop, and retail business. As such, MOEP trainees get the chance to help out with a variety of practical tasks, including woodworking, and an introduction to how to make upcycled homeware items from our supply of reclaimed wood. We’re also excited that, for the first time ever, this year we’re able to offer a day’s experience volunteering with our friends over at homelessness charity Fresh Start!

MOEP provides our trainees with the chance to gain essential skills and experience. This is achieved through a combination of fun employability focussed groupwork sessions, and 1:1 support led by our highly experienced Move On staff team. MOEP is both a learning experience, and a great addition to our young peoples’ CVs. The course equips them with the skills needed to pursue employment pathways in industries such as construction, hospitality, customer service, and more.

As well as giving our trainees a strong grounding in practical skills, we also focus on soft outcomes. We coach our trainees 1:1 to help them to build their motivation and confidence, and improve their mental health. Most importantly, we believe in our trainees, even when they’re unable to believe in themselves. This in turn helps them build the independence to achieve their own positive outcomes in whatever path they choose to follow.

Key Outcomes

Participants on the course can expect to gain;

  • Person-centred support, and help to identify and overcome barriers to employment
  • 1:1 training, advice and assistance with CV writing, job searching, and interview preparation
  • SCQF 3 Core Skills
  • SCQF 3 Employability Skills
  • Practical work experience
  • Health & Safety, First Aid and Manual Handling training
  • Positive thinking and motivational coaching
  • Education on practical subjects such as budgeting, problem solving, and employee rights and responsibilities.

Trainees also receive a weekly training allowance of £55, with full safety equipment and PPE provided.

Next Steps

We offer a range of options for our trainees to continue their journey after completing the MOEP course. Graduates will be offered support to identify and apply for their next opportunity. This could be long-term employment, further training, or returning to education. We also offer the following opportunities within Move On;

Building Brighter Futures Fund (BBFF) – A 6 week employability programme based at MOWR, including further work experience. BBFF is an ideal follow-on for trainees with an interest in entering the construction industry, offering the chance to gain vital workplace qualifications, such as the CSCS card.

Mentoring – Young people on our mentoring programmes meet weekly with a trained volunteer mentor. Together they work towards achieving a personal goal identified by the mentee through completing shared leisure activities.

Volunteering – MOEP graduates are welcome to continue gaining valuable hands-on experience through ongoing volunteering in the MOWR workshop. This also offers the opportunity to participate in the Young People’s Forum, shaping the future of Move On through their feedback.

Contact & Apply

Please contact Marianne on marianne@moveon.org.uk with questions, or for further information.

Please see the Move On Wood Recycling website for more information about MOWR.

To apply or refer a young person, please complete our referral form, and submit via our secure upload portal.