Build the confidence, workplace skills and professional behaviours needed to prepare for employment, perform effectively at work and progress in your career.

JSTA’s Employability Skills programme combines career preparation with practical workplace activities, helping participants understand employer expectations while developing communication, teamwork, organisation and problem-solving skills.

Preparing for the Workplace

Duration: 3 Months | 6 Months | 1 Year
Format: Initial Training | Individual Career Tasks | Group Activities | Hybrid Working Module
Group Size: Up to 10 participants

Participants begin with guided employability training before taking part in individual assignments, workplace scenarios and team challenges. The Hybrid Working Module develops confidence in virtual meetings, professional online communication, remote collaboration, digital workplace etiquette and managing responsibilities independently.

What Participants May Do

Participants practise activities and responsibilities that reflect expectations across a wide variety of entry-level professional roles, including:

• Preparing professional CVs and job applications
• Writing cover letters and supporting statements
• Researching employers and career opportunities
• Practising interviews and responding to common questions
• Communicating professionally by email, phone and online
• Participating in meetings and group discussions
• Planning workloads and meeting deadlines
• Working collaboratively to complete team assignments
• Delivering short presentations
• Responding appropriately to feedback and workplace challenges

As participants progress, they may take on more advanced activities involving team coordination, workplace problem-solving, professional presentations, conflict resolution, leadership exercises, decision-making and managing competing priorities.

What Candidates Can Learn

The existing JSTA programme identifies communication, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, critical thinking, adaptability and leadership as important skills for professional success.

Communication & Professional Behaviour
Develop clear verbal and written communication while learning about workplace etiquette, active listening, professional conduct and communicating with colleagues and customers.

CV, Applications & Interview Preparation
Learn how to present skills and experience effectively through CVs, applications and interviews while developing confidence when speaking with potential employers.

Teamwork & Collaboration
Experience working with others, sharing responsibilities, contributing ideas and responding constructively to different perspectives.

Time Management & Organisation
Learn to prioritise responsibilities, organise workloads, meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks effectively.

Problem-Solving & Adaptability
Develop critical thinking and learn how to approach workplace challenges, evaluate possible solutions and adapt when circumstances change.

Leadership & Personal Development
Build confidence, self-awareness, initiative and leadership skills while identifying personal strengths and areas for continued development. These themes build directly on JSTA’s existing employability content.

Practical Career & Workplace Activities

The current page already highlights interactive activities, group discussions, case studies, assessments and feedback as part of employability learning. These can be strengthened through practical activities such as:

• CV & Application Workshop – Develop a professional CV and tailored job application
• Mock Interview – Practise interview techniques and receive constructive feedback
• Workplace Scenario Challenge – Respond to realistic communication and problem-solving situations
• Team Project – Plan and complete an assignment while sharing responsibilities
• Presentation Exercise – Research and confidently present information to a group
• Career Action Plan – Identify career goals, skills gaps and practical next steps

Building Confidence for Employment

Employability is about more than securing a job. Participants develop transferable skills that can help them communicate effectively, contribute to teams, manage responsibilities and adapt to different workplace environments.

The programme is particularly relevant for young people entering employment, graduates, career changers and individuals looking to strengthen their workplace confidence and professional skills—audiences also identified on JSTA’s existing page.

The experience can help prepare participants for entry-level employment, internships, apprenticeships, work experience, further training and career progression across a wide range of sectors.

Please Note: Our core mentoring, workshops and work-experience programmes are 100% free for eligible young people aged 16–25. We also deliver paid commercial training to businesses and individuals; 100% of that profit is reinvested into our free youth programmes.